The Lady Panthers turn the page to Thomas Nelson as head coach, and had a solid season while making a playoff push last year, and moving up the ‘pecking order’ of the tough Region 8-AA.

PRESEASON INFO

2022-23 Record: 14-14; State Rnd 1
Head Coach: Thomas Nelson (1st Season)
Returning Starters: 4
Key Departures: Corrine Hill, Ivy Chapman
“Corrine started every game last season,” adds Nelson. “A solid defender with a great work ethic. Ivy Chapman played several minutes last season before an injury cut her season short. Both players will definitely be missed this season.”
Key Players: SR Kamryn Mull, JR Katelyn Brown, JR Ariel McCarter, SR Lara Turner
“Ariel McCarter and Lara Turner will be looked upon to lead a young team eager to improve,” says Nelson. “Kam Mull, Katelyn Brown, Paula Robertson, Hope Taylor, and Hensley Adams have all shown flashes of being a contributor for the Panthers. Morgan Warren, Aubrie Akins, and Tatumn Fisher have worked very hard and each of them are much improved. Sloane Dyer will also be looked to for leadership this season. Other bright spots include Ella Akins, Ragan McCarter, and McKenna Hood found time to work on basketball skills while playing other sports. That’s very important when you share athletes with other teams. Naomi Nelson, Mady Adams, Izzy Anthros, Avery Hussion, Delaney Moses, Jules Dyer, and Sofia Foster will complete our roster for women’s basketball this season.
Offense: “We want to be able to play inside out,” says Nelson. “We want to be able to adjust to use our strengths against our opponents weaknesses.”
Strengths: “The main strength of this team is the fact that they are very close,” says Nelson. “We have been working on creating depth and working together. With several returning players with experience, improving on the little things will be very important and essential to our success.”
Biggest Challenges: “This team has had 4 new coaches in the last 4 years,” says Nelson. “Creating stability is a big challenge for our team this year. Our region is very competitive. Banks County is always solid. Athens Academy reloads every year. East Jackson, Providence Christian, and Fellowship Christian are very competitive. Our goal is to be able to compete in every game.”

“Everything starts with our three seniors: #2 Kam Mull, #30 Lara Turner, and #32 Morgan Warren,” says Nelson. “Their leadership will go along way toward the success of this team. The expectation for this season is to continue to improve and move up the pecking order of our region.”