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Mulnix feels Western boys basketball can be a force when playing at its best

 

By Mike Moore

Staff Writer

 

Parma – He’s got a team with a 7-6 record, and asked about that, Ryan Mulnix was as frank as he is intense on the Western boys basketball sideline each and every time a game begins.

 

“I don’t know if 7-6 is particularly a bad thing,” Mulnix said. “We don’t get a night off in this conference, which I don’t think is true in other conferences.”

 

Still, a 7-6 record also suggests a bit of up-and-down play, which Mulnix said has certainly been the case.

 

“We haven’t had a three-game win streak all year,” he said with a laugh. “We played two of our best games recently, and then didn’t show up in a loss the following Monday. That’s just how it’s gone.”

 

So success, especially in the long term, comes down to finding that consistency.

 

“It really comes down to having a consistent effort, or to play well consistently is maybe a better way to say it,” Mulnix said. “We’ve been doing a good job rebounding and playing defense, and we’ve shot better than last year.”

 

Playing without Hunter Page in all but four games this season certainly hasn’t helped, though Hunter returned recently and is getting up to speed.

 

The Panthers will certainly be tested in the coming days and weeks, too, which Mulnix said he welcomes.

 

The team is at Charlotte (9-6) tonight looking to avenge a 66-60 loss earlier this winter.

 

“That’s a tough place to play, but they are without one of their top guys and their coach,” Mulnix said. “This is a big game for us.”

 

It’s even bigger on Tuesday when the Panthers travel to Marshall to take on a Redhawks team that is 11-2 and riding an 11-game win streak.

 

Marshall also sits atop the I-8 standings with a 7-1 mark.

 

“That’s going to be a great test for us,” Mulnix said. “We have an outside shot to still win the league, but the main thing is to finish in the top two or three. … We feel we’re a team better than .500 and a team that can compete with anyone in this league.”

 

Western has show multiple times this year it can be a force to reckon with, which is all Mulnix wants to see, and see more of, down the stretch.

 

“Like I said, it comes down to consistency,” he said. “So we’re working toward getting everything on track. We’re going to focus on playing well, do the things we’re capable of and see where it takes us.”

 

Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’

Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.

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