Porum Panthers

BOYS

Coach: Michael Arnold

20-21 Record: 6-9

Although the Panthers lost four starters off last year’s team, coach Michael Arnold does have one solid building block to restructure the team this year. Mikey Wright (5-10, So.) scored in double figures as a starter in his freshman year and was also an all-conference selection. “He can do anything,” said Arnold. “He’s absolutely one of the best sophomores in the area.” Joining Wright will be Rowdy Harris (5-10, So.) who Arnold says is an above average defender that does all of the dirty work for the Panthers without complaining. Tanner Franklin (6-5, Sr.) will be the inside man for Porum whose size will help him keep the boards clean. Arnold also has high hopes for incoming freshman point guard Isaiah Sallee. “I think he’ll be one of the top freshmen in our area this year. He’s also active in FFA and is one of the top cattle showmen in the state,” said the Porum head Panther. Porum will definitely be young with a freshman and two sophomores among the starting five but if Wright blossoms the way Arnold expects him to this year, the Panthers might surprise some folks by the time the playoffs roll around.

GIRLS

Coach: Bobbie Wheat

20-21 Record: 9-7

Expectations are high for the Lady Panthers this season as they return all but one starter from last year and welcome back two key players who lost part of last year to injury. The duo of Mallory Barrett (5-10, Sr.) and Emery Arnold (5-10, Jr.) both averaged double-doubles for the Panthers last season. Barrett, a four-year starter, was out of the gate strong averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds a game until she suffered a knee injury early in the season. Arnold picked up the slack and she averaged 11.4 points and 10 rebounds a game. Joining those two will be power forward Ally Bush (5-8, Sr.) who averaged nearly nine points and 6.5 rebounds a game and possibly Gracie Tiger (5-7, Jr.) who is also returning from a season-ending injury last year. Porum will have a bench second to none in area loaded with half a dozen players who saw enough time last year to post some stats. That group consists of junior Emma Murphy (5-9) who helps in the blocks and sophomores Rilee Miller, Kylie Smith, Courtney Pease, Cameron Terrell, and Kolby Pevehouse. Also looking for a call off the bench for the Lady Panthers will be Leah Smith (5-9, So.), Alexys Gines (5-6, Sr.) and Freedom Barnes (5-6, Fr.). With talented starters and a deep bench, the Lady Panthers look to return to the deep playoff runs that have been the hallmark of Bobbie Wheat teams in the past.