Article by Taylor Perkins

The Lady Panthers basketball team has been putting in work before practice officially starts on Oct. 15. The team’s first game is an exhibition game against Columbia College on Oct. 29.

Molly Miller, head coach of the Lady Panthers, talked about the importance of preseason training.

“Preseason is a time to layer foundation for the season. Our brand of basketball is pretty fast paced so it’s a time for us to get in shape, get in the weight room, get stronger, get in our conditioning for what is to come,” Miller said.

Miller discussed the Lady Panthers’ strengths and weaknesses going into the season.

“We got some system players now,” Miller said. “Our seniors have played with me for four years and have become really good leaders.”

Miller said that the seniors understand the “system” which will help them know what to expect on both ends of the floor.

Miller thinks the team’s cohesion will work to their advantage.

“I think our leadership and our ability to communicate as a team will be one of our strengths,” Miller said. “This team is also really competitive and I think that that competitiveness on the floor will show.”

Coach Molly Miller meets with players on the court before practice begins. Photo by Perkins.

Miller thinks their athletic ability will help them in the brand of basketball the team wants to play.

“I think we’re a little bit more athletic [than other teams] in the sense that we are a faster team,” Miller said.

Miller said that her players’ abilities to stretch the floor is an asset. The team is fast, too, and is able to move up and down the court quickly.

“I would not say we have any post players isolated on the block, they can stretch it around the perimeter,” Miller said.

Alice Heinzler, senior guard, believes that the team’s dedication to the sport has been consistent through her time in the program.

“Every year we have been strong in a different manner, we adapt to what we have. We’re always pretty hard working and resilient, it’s a part of our culture,” said Alice Heinzler, senior guard.

Miller continued by saying that the team is very flexible.

“In a sense we are pretty position-less, which is important because it makes us hard to guard and [makes] matches up tough on the floor,” Miller said.

There are some weaknesses that she has worked with the team on in preseason so that they are stronger for the regular season. One is how the freshmen players will have to adapt quickly.

“We have some new faces that can make an impact right away so it’s just a matter of inserting them into the system earlier than the average freshman,” Miller said. “We have to make sure we don’t leave anyone behind so that they can make an impact right away.”

Despite this concern, Miller feels very positively about the team’s readiness for the season. She said that the players’ chemistry on and off the floor will help them be successful.

“I am really impressed with this group and their commitment to each other. We always talk about family and that’s really important to us. I think you’ll see that family atmosphere with this team,” Miller said.

Heinzler said that she is ready for the season to begin and to show off the hard work the team has put in.

“We have a lot of talent and I’m excited to just get out on the floor and play,” Heinzler said.

The first basketball game is Oct. 29 against Columbia College at 2 p.m. in the O’Reilly Family Event Center. Come out and support all of the hard work the basketball players have put in.