JUDA — With the graduation of five seniors, the Panthers return just three letter-winners from last year’s team. Given the Juda’s youth and inexperience, head coach Aaron Duecker anticipates ‘growing pains.’

“We are very young,” Duecker said. “We will grow as a team throughout the year. The team you see in the first month won’t be what you see in the last month.”

Aaron Makos led Juda last season in scoring, averaging 15.7 points and 8 rebounds in the first 14 games. As such, he was the lone selection for the Panthers on the First-Team All-Conference list. Mason Kammerer received Honorable Mention accolades, as he averaged 11.5 points and 4.9 rebounds in the first 14 games.

Michael Hosch (JR), Erik Woodward (SO) and Blake Adkins (SO) and the only returners. Combined, the three averaged 2.6 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. Duecker anticipates freshman guard Jayden Brown to also get playing time on varsity.

Although his team is young, Duecker is confident in its shooting. In eight games, Hosch shot .333 from the field and at the line. Woodward was 8-for-36 with a 3-pointer.

With a 1-11 record in the Six Rivers East conference, Juda was at the bottom of the pack. Like last year, Duecker anticipates Monticello and Barneveld will be at the top.