By Michael Lindsay
Stone Memorial Lady Panthers
An experienced roster returns for the Stone Memorial Lady Panthers this season as all five starters are back under 9th-year head coach Mike Buck.
“I like our group,” said Buck. “We’re working hard and I like the number we have coming back with experience. They’re walking into a situation they’re not afraid of; they’ve been through these moments before.”
The Lady Panthers went 8-22 last season and 1-11 in District 7-3A play and had notable wins over Clarkrange and Meigs County. Stone Memorial was projected 4th overall in both preseason district polls.
Returning starters for the Lady Panthers include All-District 3rd-team selection Kailee Waldo at center and District 7-3A most-improved player Rachel Houston at guard. Also returning are District 7-3A honorable mention point guard Adison Howard, forward Kortney Headrick and guard Lily Hinch.
“It was tough for them, but now we’re thankful for it,” Buck said on his team gaining experience as freshmen and sophomores. “At the time, it’s no fun. They should’ve learned those lessons in the JV program, but they were in the varsity spots against some really talented players. Now, we’re thankful for it.”
Senior point guard Paige Roberts returns from injury this season for the Lady Panthers along with Ashley Whittenburg, Kara VonAchen and Chloe Waldo.
“We’ll have some nights that we can get hot and score some points, but I don’t we’ll be able to consistently out-score everybody,” Buck said. “We’re going to have to do some dirty work on defense and really sit down and guard teams. We need to be a physical rebounding team.”
Stone Memorial’s pre-Christmas schedule features games against Concord Christian, Cleveland, York Institute, Pickett County, Clarkrange, Lenoir City, Webb School of Knoxville, Oak Ridge and Cookeville.
“Name a good team in the Upper Cumberland and they’re probably on our schedule,” Buck said. “I’m all about truth; we don’t want to throw a bunch of cupcakes together. I want our girls to be tested and be prepared for our league.”
District 7-3A opponents include Cumberland County, DeKalb County, Livingston Academy, Upperman and White County.
“We’re trying to build a program that’s in the conversation as one of the best in the state,” Buck. “We want to build a program, and to do that you’ve got to see the best teams out there.”
Stone Memorial’s season tips off on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at Concord Christian.
Stone Memorial Panthers
A mix of talented returners and new faces will take the court for the Stone Memorial Panthers this season under head coach Neil Capps.
The Panthers join multiple Upper Cumberland boys basketball team in waiting for their entire roster to be available as Stone Memorial’s football team is still competing in the Class 4A playoffs. Football players from last season’s rotation include Brady Lane, Preston Mayberry and Jayden Eldridge.
“A lot of us are in a holding pattern waiting on football players to get back, but we’re working hard getting our stuff in and competing,” Capps said. “We’re excited and looking forward to it.”
Stone Memorial went 25-7 last season and fell in the Class 3A sectional at eventual state champion Fulton, 58-54. The Panthers were tied for first place with Upperman in the preseason District 7-3A coaches poll.
Stone Memorial returns decorated junior guard Cade Capps to the lineup, who has an all-state tournament selection, Region 4-4A MVP honor, two first-team all-district honors, an all-state award and a UCR MVP honor under his belt through two seasons. Capps has eclipsed the 1,000 career-point mark and is currently the PrepHoops.com #1-ranked junior in Tennessee.
“He’s one of our pivotal pieces,” coach Capps said of his son Cade. “He’ll draw a lot of defensive attention, so we’ve got to find ways to get him looks. The best way to do that is through the team concept and getting everybody involved offensively. Cade’s put a lot of work in and he lives basketball. The Division 1 offers and attention are the fruits of the hard work.”
Senior forward Brady Lane also returns to the starting lineup. Contributors from last season returning include guard Preston Mayberry, point Wyatt Grothe and forward Jayden Eldridge.
“We’re going to have to fill a lot of new spots,” coach Capps said. “We’ve got some seniors like Zaiden Rice and Braden Elliot going for those spots. Jordan Manis has been battling an injury, but he’s looking for those minutes.
“It’s a puzzle, we just have to put it together,” Capps said. “It’s the most question marks we’ve had coming into the season in a long time. We have a lot of good players and they’re a fun group.”
Despite the question marks, coach Capps is clear on the goal for the team’s identity.
“The way things are going today in sports, it’s all about offensive efficiency,” Capps said. “But I don’t care; I will never change my philosophy that we better be able to defend the basketball, rebound and get stops. You have to out-play the other team; it’s a mental and physical battle. I want this team to be a blue-collar team and do the dirty work.”
Stone Memorial’s non-district slate includes Concord Christian, York Institute, Pickett County, Lenoir City, Clarkrange, Webb School of Knoxville and Cookeville. District 7-3A foes include Cumberland County, DeKalb County, Livingston Academy, Upperman and White County.
The Panthers’ season tips off on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at Concord Christian.