Conference: 2-4A
Coach: Kevin Kyzer, fifth year (159-49 overall)
Assistant coach: Chip McDonald
2012-13 record: 18-11, third in conference. Lost to Brookland in opening round of the Class 4A East Regional.
Returning starters: Mason Schroeder, 6-8 senior; Austin Adkins, 6-1 senior; Spencer Grogan, 6-2 senior; Waren Olmstead, 6-1 senior; and Michael Kramer, 6-1 senior.
Best inside players: Schroeder can play inside and out, Kyzer said, and is being recruited by Division I and Division II schools. The coach said Grogan was “very athletic, a great rebounder and a good inside-out player.” Kramer is “crafty inside and outside.” David Keubler, a 6-3 sophomore, should also contribute.
Best outside players: Adkins and Olmstead should get some help from 5-5 sophomore Zach Ingram, 6-2 sophomore Hunter Chandler, 5-11 junior Grant Childers and 5-11 sophomore Chase Gallaway.
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? With five senior returning starters, the Panthers are planning to go further in 2013-14. “We’re very experienced this year,” Kyzer said. “The returning players are determined to have a great year.”
Team strengths: The coach said shooting would be his team’s major strength.
Team weaknesses: No team can better the Panthers’ starting experience, but the flip side of that is they do have a lack of experience off the bench.
Games to watch: Kyzer said all 2-4A teams would be good ones. The league also includes Dollarway, Lonoke, Clinton, Stuttgart, Newport, Southside Batesville and Marianna Lee.
Toughest opponent: Lonoke and the rest of the 2-4A.
College prospects: Kyzer said Schroeder and Adkins would have opportunities to play beyond high school.
In a nutshell: “This is a very determined bunch of seniors,” the coach said. “They are on a mission to do great things.”