On Tuesday night, the Lakeside Panthers boys basketball team opened its season on the road against a tough Westside Patriots squad coming off back-to-back-to back Class AA state championships.
Lakeside battled throughout the game but took a hard 97-38 loss. The Panthers were missing some key players in this game that are usually big additions to the team.
Many of them, such as leading returning scorer Ty Jones, Mikael and Brandon Grissom and Jack Thexton were, missing on the court because they’re preparing for a Class AAAAA first round state playoff game in football Friday night against New Manchester.
“The positive we can take out of this is we got a lot of football players in the state playoffs right now,” said Lakeside head coach Marcus Diggs. “I support my dual sport guys, and to see their success is special.”
Time for new faces
One benefit to the short-handedness is the Panthers got to see some guys get their numbers called that otherwise might not have.
“We are under-maned at this point, but I do know it is great experience for our younger guys, traditionally junior varsity guys, to get that varsity experience,” said Diggs regarding his new faces getting their feet under them.
Some of the older guys stepped up to try and spark some fire for the Panthers as well. Senior Marcus Chambliss provided a team high of 14 points and did not give in to the tough Westside opposition. James Gilbert, also a senior, provided double digits as well, finishing with 10 points.
“I don’t think we quit,” Diggs said. “We missed a lot of shots, but we just kept fighting until the end which is one of our key pillars. The competitive spirit was there. Sometimes the shots will not always go in, but if we compete at a high level I am always pleased.”
Full roster loading
The Panthers will need to work on some things in addition to getting their full team back, and that is going to take some time. Diggs sees the potential in his squad, but they are going to have to buy in and make some adjustments.
“Just being settled in the big moments just with some guys stepping into bigger roles and sometimes the lights get a little too bright,” he said. “So, just being comfortable in the bigger moments and stepping up in those important opportunities.”
The Panthers missed opportunities to make it a bit of a closer game as they shot just 42% from the free throw line Tuesday. But an otherwise well-coached team should be able to find their identity as the season progresses.
“We just got to guard the ball, and the shots will eventually go in,” Diggs said. “But if we slow people down, keep people in front of us, and defend at a high level, we will be fine.”
Lakeside, 14-11 last year and 7-5 in region play, will get another shot at improvement when it comes back to Westside Friday night for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off against Laney in the Rickey Moore Invitational.
The Wildcats (1-0) got their first win of the season Tuesday with an 85-54 win against Richmond Academy.
