This season has been full of changes for the Lady Panthers. From new coach Brandon Cerezola to over half of the team being underclassmen, they have had to adjust and learn many playing styles.
This, however, has not posed an issue for them as they dominated the Lady Cardinals 58-22 last Thursday.
“Even though [this group] is young, I think we have the maturity at this point of understanding that every opportunity we get to play, we’ve got to take full advantage of,” Cerezola said.
Freshman Aftyn Heiden led the team with 15 points, including three 3-pointers. Sophomore Lindsey Kopacek followed close behind with 14 points. Sophomore Ava Glover added 13 points.
“I think they’re hungry and I think they want to prove themselves both individually and collectively, and so I think that gives us a chip on our shoulder,” Cerezola said. ”But also this is all new to them so I think they’re excited about it.”
The Lady panthers started off slow in the first quarter with only a small lead of four points. This lead grew throughout the rest of the periods for a total lead of 36 points mostly scored by underclassmen.
“So we all keep up the intensity because obviously there’s 32 minutes in a game and the game isn’t over until after all 32 are played,” Kopacek said. “You can’t play half and expect the game to be done, you have to play full effort and full pace the entire game.”
Currently, they have a record of 12-4 overall and 4-1 in the region which puts them at first in the region. Last night, they defeated the Northside Lady Patriots 67-41.
Their next game will be tomorrow at Mundy’s Mill High School against the Lady Tigers at 6 p.m.