Panthers, Lady Panthers bringing ‘Game Time’ March Madness on the hardwood for 2021-2022
COACH WILL AND THE PPRD PANTHER IMPACT HOOPS
MAGNET COVE — The PPRD hoops universe anticipates a special season for the hardwood for the 2021-2022 basketball season. The Magnet Cove Panthers and Lady Panthers are back with a seasoned veteran group of hoopsters that include a little extra spunk of talented freshmen to make both teams state tournament contending programs.
COACH WILL
Magnet Cove head commander of basketball operations coach Matt Williamson has turned the style of hoops up for the Panthers and Lady Panthers on the hardwood. As the head coach of both senior high boys and girls basketball teams, Williamson has brought a new life of attitude to the court. After an outstanding high school basketball career at Poyen, Williamson is taking the same stride to create a productive basketball culture at a historic place that has a background of success and tradition at Magnet Cove.
During the summer, Williamson surged the Panthers and Lady Panthers throughout several team camps to prepare them for a massive year on the hardwood. The Lady Panthers traveled to Harding, and Branson, Missouri for action. The Panthers competed against a variety of different classification basketball programs in the state and took care of business by winning six games with just a few defeats this summer. Now, both squads have already made some productive noise with early season success.
GAME TIME—PANTHERS
This year the Panthers are preseason favorites as state contenders in the Class 2A. Returning key standouts—owen Tillery, Evin Ashcraft, and big man Kadin Baker all racked up season honors last year and are making an impact for this season. Tillery continues to bring that special long distance shooting while Ashcraft has maintained a scoring attack. Tillery and Ashcraft both have posted in 20 plus point performances this season. Baker with the help of another big man Kizer Kidder and senior Jace Beckwith all have stepped up with key inside scoring and being monsters on the boards—plus key defensive blocks this season. Layne Evans and Jacob Clausen are key factors for the Panthers and their abilities to dazzle on the hardwood helps make their team strong and deep.
The Panthers finished with a plus .500 overall record last year at 19-11 and so far, they have topped in-county rivals’ Ouachita twice, Glen Rose in the Battle at the Cove, Conway Christian, and recently arch-rival Poyen.
Last year, the Panthers ended several seasons of being absent from playing in the state tournament. Now, they are looked at as a key contender.
GAME TIME—LADY PANTHERS
The Lady Panthers had a special season despite falling short to qualify for the state tournament. The Lady Panthers made some noise during the district tournament, to qualify for the regional tourney. This year, the Lady Panthers are back to bring more hype to their basketball program with a few familiar faces. Senior leader Karsen Davis racked up seasonal honors last year and brings that same pure outside shooting for the Lady Panthers. Key x-factor Brianna Ramthun really came on during the regionals last year and has kept the same spark for this season. Ramthun stepped up in the regional tournament and scored a season-high 17 points against No. 1 seed Fordyce last year. Now with the experience of sophomore’s Marleigh Mccutcheon and Kynsli Brashears are showcasing production on both ends of the court. Haley Mccauley, Maddie Lawrence, Izzy Sawyer and Bella Harville all have contributed in a major way for the Lady Panthers.
THE TRUE-FRESHMEN CORE
One of the reasons why this season is exciting for Magnet Cove has been the additions of three talented freshmen—bo Batchelor, Neaira Walls and the point guard expertise of Ella Williamson.
All three were key factors that secured Magnet Cove’s junior high teams capture the conference title.
Batchelor excelled last season as an eighth grader for the junior high Panthers— that included a 27-point night against Ouachita last year. Batchelor’s presence helps the Panthers in a productive way and looks to make his debut with the team soon.
For Walls and Williamson, they were also outstanding eighth graders for the junior high Lady Panthers last season. Now, stepping up in key roles on the senior high level shows some positive signs in the Lady Panthers program for the future.