Welcome Lady Panther Basketball Fans!
A new season is here and the excitement is high! Coming off what was an incredible year that culminated in a state championship, our kids were able to achieve what we called Herstory. It’s an amazing feeling when your season ends with a win and always a reflection of a collective journey of hard work, sacrifice, perseverance and often luck. While not every season ends with a state championship it is the optimism and competitive spirit that inspires each year for the opportunity to be meaningful in March. While that reward is always a celebration, the real victory occurs in the passage of watching young people grow and mature. The rewards of seeing them move on into college and beyond are far greater and I am always humbled by the role I am blessed to share in their journey.
After cutting down the nets at the Chiles center last March, the off season has been filled with changes and growth. Our girls had a great summer playing at elite college viewing events and matching up with the nation’s best programs. We’ve always believe that the off season is where the greatest growth in player development occurs and we’re encouraged by the progress.
With 7 varsity returners and the addition of some new faces, our team will carry plenty of experience and familiarity. This year’s team will be led by returning team captain Sara Schmerbach, a 2024 All State player who has signed to play next year at Division 1 University Santa Clara. She is the last of Schmerbach sisters who have left a legacy at South Medford HS. Both sisters were state champions in 20 and 21 and Sara winning her own championship in 23. Joining Sara Schmerbach in the 2025 class is senior Maddy Warberg another future division 1 basketball player who moved to South Medford HS this summer from the Eugene area. She too will be joining Santa Clara next year and brings another senior presence to this year’s Lady Panthers.
Joining our seniors will be a very solid core of juniors led by the state rebounding record holder Mayen Akpan who along with Dyllyn Howell have garnered numerous division 1 scholarship offers since last season. In addition, classmates Jordan Barlow, Elise Richardson and Malia Tualani all played significant roles last season and it’s been fun to watch this entire group work hard and get better. Our sophomore class features Payton Anderson who like our juniors continues to work hard and show promise for things to come and is joined this season by newcomer Taryn Vasey.
This season promises to be filled with some great pre conference contests that includes some of the top events on the west coast including the Capitol City showcase, Nike PIL Holiday Classic and the Nike Sabrina Ionescu classic. When you add this tough out of league matchups to a tenacious conference SWC schedule that last year represented the top league in the state is certain to provide great competitive challenges to grow from.
