After a disappointing 8-15 finish last year, the Paint Branch Varsity Boys’ Basketball Team will try to flip the script this year and finish near the top of the division. Paint Branch finished in last place last year after a division title the year before.

The Panthers have a solid core of returning players this year including senior guards Stephan Adebesin and George Burns and center Macie Jones. Junior guard Kendall Morton is another player to look out for this season.

The Panthers are led by Walter Hardy, who is in his 16th year as varsity head coach. Hardy isn’t used to the Panthers struggling as his career record of 247-118, which includes a State Championship in 2000, an All-Met Coach of the Year award, and six division championships can attest.

Last season the Panthers lost eight games by 11 points or fewer. For the Panthers to avoid that again this season Coach Hardy says they will look to maintain composure and finish out games. Hardy said he expects this season to be full of winning, hard work, everyone’s best effort and, most importantly, more winning. The Panthers have the same schedule as last season, which Hardy says will help him and the team because they’re familiar with the teams.

Hardy says the teams to look out for, and the teams that he is personally looking forward to playing, are Blake, Springbrook, and Magruder. Paint Branch’s record against these teams last year was 1-4.

The Panthers lack size compared to other teams around the county, but will try to make up for that with their speed, smarts and depth. The Panthers are a young and inexperienced team as only six seniors from last year graduated, though four of them were in the starting lineup. Senior guard TC Conrad says he expects the team to make the playoffs and a good run once they are there. Conrad also says that he’s looking forward to giving it his all and putting forth as much effort as he can. Hopefully, Conrad and his teammates can push each other in practice and in the games.