Elizabethtown Panthers – 2020 Record: 22-3
It was quite a two-year run for Elizabethtown’s basketball team. Winning two straight 5th Region championships and last season making an epic run with a team which was quick and strong defensive all the way to the Championship game. This season is very different with plenty of questions. A team which graduated seven seniors (most starters) will have a very different lineup. Three of the team’s top scorers are gone, but coach James Haire did get a boast when Alandre Murphy (309-points/12.4 average) exercised the fifth-year option. Outside of that, the starting lineup could be a work in progress.
“The outlook is absolutely unknown, all new faces with the exception of Alandra Murphy who is our lone returning senior. Again we have very little varsity experience, but these guys should play a major role this season.” Haire looks Ben Ryan (6’4” senior post player, who can shoot the three. Max Peeler 6’ senior guard transfer from South Carolina, who is a good shooter. Jett Williams 5’11” junior guard, Trey Durbin 6’1” junior forward. Evan Shelton 6’2” junior forward, Alex Evans 6’3” sophomore forward, Ayden Evans 6’9” sophomore post/forward. So far Haire likes Murphy, Peeler, Evans and Ryan as early standouts. Coach has been through transition season’s before and understands the pitfalls of success and how it breeds high expectations. One thing is for sure. 2021-2022 should be an interesting season for the Panthers.
Elizabethtown Lady Panthers – 2020 Record 23-2
Coming off another 5th Region Championship in 2020, Elizabethtown went into the following season with plenty of questions and as it turned out a lot of great answers. Head coach Donnie Swiney’s team went 23-0 in their first 23 contests despite graduating seven seniors (many the team’s top scorers) and found plenty of great players in Leah Macy, Kayra Freeman, Kenzie Franklin, Sarah Clark and Kiarah Dornan. Coming into the new season, Swiney has only one starter returning from that team and like Haire on the boys team has plenty of questions to answer again. “I’m very happy with this team. We will look a little different, but they really look forward to practice and are working really hard.” The Lady Panthers lost seven from last year’s squad and only Clark is the returning starter from the five that ended last year’s season. Junior guard Brooklyn Cann is the other player which got plenty of varsity playing time, but outside of that a starting five will be a work in progress.
Swiney does have several options with sisters Emerson and Harper Gregory as one. Ashlynn Cann, who is the twin sister of Brookyln could be an option. Eighth-grader Jessica Smallwood, a volleyball player will give the team some height. Ellen May and Ella Thompson should get some playing time in their senior season. There’s always a danger in counting this team out, much like last season, so most likely every team facing them have learned not to take lightly even in a transition season. Much like the Panthers, the Lady Panthers should have an interesting adventure this season.
