Panthers coach looks for a return to state despite losing valuable players
Your 2018-2019 Saratoga Panthers Boys Basketball team: Front row from left, J.D. Buttle, Justin Jeffs, Greg Swanson, Logan Seahorn, Geoffrey Johnson, Erik Pinedo and Logan Wells. Back row from left, Colin Greenberg, Jeremiah Debar, Gavin Bartlett, Noah Rimmer, Sam Schnieder, Teegan Love, Menphis Smith, Jordan Travis and Kelton Johnson. Not pictured: Chris Foley and managers Lairren Peebles and Campbell Grabow.
The season may just be starting for the Saratoga Panthers, but that does little to diminish their goals for the year according to Jason Williams, head coach of the Panthers, as they hope to make another showing at the State Championship.
"Another trip to State, ultimately, is what our goal is for the end of the year," said Williams. "If we make it to State tournament, put together three good days of basketball and see what happens. Definitely, a return to State is on our minds."
During the 2017/2018 season, the Panthers took 4th place at the 1A West Regionals tournament and snagged the Consolation prize at the State Championship. This year, if the Panthers hope to make it to State, they will have to figure out how to do it without Gage Bartlett, Ben Fairbanks and other senior players.
"That's one thing that coach (Jared Crawford) and I do every year, is we look at who we have and the personnel and how to utilize them the best way," Williams said.
Saratoga boasts 17 players this year and eight of them have some form of varsity experience. This includes Greg Swanson, Sam Schneider and Logan Seahorn who saw their fair share of time on the court last season.
The Panthers begin their season at the 2018 Burns Winter Classic, where they will face off against the Southeast Cyclones at 6 p.m. on Dec. 7 at Burns High School, the Pine Bluffs Hornets at 2:30 p.m. at Burns Elementary School and Lingle-Fort Laramie Doggers at 7 p.m. at Burns Elementary School.
Following the Burns Winter Classic, Saratoga will play at the Shoshoni Wrangler Invite on Dec. 14 and 15. The first non-neutral game of the season for the Panthers will be when they host the Hanna, Elk Mountain and Medicine Bow (HEM) Miners at 5 p.m. on Dec. 18 in the Panther Den.
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