Not The Same Old Lady Panthers

Nov 4, 2008

By: Robert Sumpter


After enduring a 12-13 season last year, the Orlando Dr. Phillips Lady Panthers made a change at head coach bringing in long time assistant boys basketball coach Anthony Jones to lead the team.  After one week of practice, all of the ladies are in one accord when they say this is your last year Panthers team.

 

“Everything is different about our team this year.  It’s like there’s a different attitude in everything we do now.  Our practices are more upbeat, players are more accountable and we are having lots of fun.”  Lady Panther senior Isabel Ehrli said.

 

One of the biggest differences in this Lady Panther team will be conditioning. 

 

The Lady Panthers all agree that coach Jones believes in his team being the best conditioned team on the court.

 

“Coach has a saying every time we are tired.  Suck it up and work.  He makes sure that everyone on the team works hard and is ready to play once we get in the game.”  Lady Panther senior Cassandra Maloney said.

 

After recording a losing season last year, the Lady Panthers has set their eyes on making the district finals. 

 

“That’s what we talk about everyday on just being able to make the playoffs.  Last year we lost in the first round of the playoffs and all of us felt that we just underachieved, that’s a feeling we definitely don’t want to have this year.”  Maloney said.

 

Coming from boy’s basketball, Coach Jones states that the main difference in coaching girls is dealing with the emotional side of the game.  But that is a challenge he is ready to take on.

 

“My main goal is to come in and change the environment of the program.  After scouting them last year I didn’t feel that they played in many big games and didn’t have an attitude of being the best.  I hope that after this year, the girls will feel that they have learned a lot and know that we left our best effort on the court every night.”  Coach Jones said.

 

The Lady Panthers start the season on the road against Apopka then travel down to Pompano to play state power Pompano Ely High School.

 

“Some people believe we may have the toughest schedule in the state.  We planned to have a challenging schedule to help us get better.  Hopefully our girls will benefit from our schedule and be ready once district comes.”  Coach Jones said.


 

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