Basketball: Permian thinks veterans will be key

The Permian Lady Panthers made some steps forward last season — the most notable being a sweep of crosstown rival Odessa High — in their first year under coach Jennifer Shuttlesworth.

Shuttlesworth expects the rate of progress to accelerate this season.

“Things are just easier the second year,” Shuttlesworth said. “The kids know what I want, where to be and when to be there. It’s been a whole lot easier to deal with. Some of the seniors have stepped up really well as leaders, and they know how to do that.”

Permian, which went 8-22 overall last season and 2-8 in District 3-5A, tip off the season at 7:30 p.m. today at Midland Classical. Shuttlesworth said having seven returning players from last year will make a difference.

“Last year, I had three kids that had any varsity experience,” she said. “This year I have two that are three-year lettermen. That helps a lot.

“We’re doing a lot of new things, but a lot of things similar to what we did last year. They know what to do and what to expect. You can definitely tell that we’re a whole lot further along at this point than we were last year.”

Heading the list of returnees are senior guard Sam Baker, the leading returning scorer and a second-team all-district pick last year, and juniors Ashleigh Alfaro and Alex Arzaga, both honorable mention all-district players as sophomores.

A key area will be inside, where the Lady Panthers can rotate posts Emily Weatherford (5-foot-11), Brooke Hand (6-foot-0), Pricila Lara (5-foot-11) and Shelby Chancellor (6-foot-3).

“We’re a whole lot better fundamentally, especially in the post,” Shuttlesworth said. “We’re a whole lot more developed.

“Our ability to handle the ball needs to be improved. On all three teams (varsity, junior varsity and freshmen), that’s probably our biggest weakness at this point.”

THE BASICS

PERMIAN AT MIDLAND CLASSICAL

>> What: 2007-08 season opener.

>> When: 7:30 p.m. today.

>> Where: Midland Classical.

>> Coaches: Jennifer Shuttlesworth, Permian; Amie Miller, Midland Classical.

SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Site Time

Nov. 6 Midland Classical Midland 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 9 Sands Permian 6 p.m.

Nov. 12 Big Spring Permian 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 15-17 San Antonio Tourn. San Antonio TBA

Nov. 19 San Angelo Lake View San Angelo 6 p.m.

Nov. 20 Lubbock High Permian 6 p.m.

Nov. 27 Midland Christian Permian 6 p.m.

Nov. 29- Lindale Tournament Lindale TBA

Dec. 1 Lindale Tournament Lindale TBA

Dec. 4 Sweetwater Sweetwater 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 7 Lubbock Monterey Lubbock 6 p.m.

Dec. 11 x-Midland High Permian 6 p.m.

Dec. 14 x-Abilene High Abilene 6 p.m.

Dec. 19 x-Odessa High Permian 6 p.m.

Dec. 27-29 Caprock Tournament Lubbock TBA

Jan. 2 x-Midland Lee Midland 6 p.m.

Jan. 4 x-San Angelo Central Permian 6 p.m.

Jan. 8 x-Abilene Cooper Abilene 6 p.m.

Jan. 15 x-Midland High Midland 6 p.m.

Jan. 18 x-Abilene High Permian 6 p.m.

Jan. 22 x-Odessa High Odessa High 6 p.m.

Jan. 25 x-Midland Lee Permian 6 p.m.

Jan. 29 x-San Angelo Central San Angelo 6 p.m.

Feb. 1 x-Abilene Cooper Permian 6 p.m.

x-District 3-5A game

ROSTER

No. Name Class Ht. Pos.

2 Alex Arzaga Junior 5-9 F

3 Bridgette Palmer Junior 5-7 F

5 Dusty Westlund Freshman 5-5 F

10 Ashley Madden Junior 5-5 F

13 Allie Moroles Senior 5-8 P

20 Ashleigh Alfaro Junior 5-6 P

31 Emily Weatherford Senior 5-11 P

32 Sam Baker Senior 5-5 G

33 Chelsea Palma Junior 5-2 G

35 Brooke Hand Senior 6-0 P

40 Pricila Lara Senior 5-10 P

44 Shelby Chancellor Junior 6-3 P

55 Jennifer Arzaga Senior 5-6 P

Head coach: Jennifer Shuttlesworth.

Assistant coaches: Gillian Danley, Laci Howard, Amberlyn Keller.