Getting buckets, winning streaks, and blowing out opponents; these all describe the stunning performance from the “Lady Panthers.” Under new coach Julio Garcia, the Panthers had a tremendous beginning, winning their first seven games, and having the best start to their season in the last four years. Although the Panthers have not won a District title since 2007, they are second place in the district and have their eyes on a title in 2011.

“Teamwork has been key,” sophomore Julianna Calice said. “In the games, we’ve played as a team we won.”

This year’s basketball team is very young with only three seniors and two juniors, and a lot has been entrusted in the six underclassmen on the team. Star players junior Alexis Richards and seniors Mary Wick and Samantha Friedman take a veteran role on the team and play major minutes on the court. Standout sophomores Julianna Calice and Chloe Darnel have played consistently.

“We have been working well as a team and have gotten better every season,” Richards said. “Next year we will be even better.”

More and more students started showing up to the home games as the season progressed. The girls are currently 7-2 at home and are 6-4 in their district.

“I’ve been to all the home games this year and I really enjoy watching the team play,” junior Farah Ansari said. “They have great strategies and good three-point shooters.”

In his first stint as the girls’ head coach, Julio Garcia has put in a lot of work rebuilding the squad and preparing them for next season.

“We’ve had a great season and we’re building for an even better one next year. We have a great group of girls who have competed with every team they have faced so far,” Garcia said. “We look to continue our success in the District Tourney and compete for a championship.”

Now 17-5, the regular season closed with a playoff berth for the “Lady Panthers.” The girls have met one of their regular season goals: having the opportunity to play in the District Tournament at Homestead. As the number four seed, the first game the girls will play this Wednesday will be against their rival, the Coral Reef Barracudas, the top-seeded team in the tournament. In the regular season, the girls have matched up well against the Barracudas but fell short in both meetings.

A win will advance the Panthers to the District Finals and give them an opportunity to compete in Regionals afterwards.

After a great regualr season, hopefully the Lady Panthers can finish off with a District Championship.