Brandon Gillihan

PRAIRIE CITY – The Prairie City Panthers boys basketball team is fired up and hoping their hard work and attitude take them far this season.

The 1A-8 High Desert League team is led by new head coach Jonathon Gill, with assistant coaches Bob Hassmiller and Charles Lawrence.

The squad includes four freshmen, one sophomore, one junior and three seniors.

“Everyone is playing varsity,” Gill said. “The JV are being thrown into the fire, and in the long run, we’ll get a better product – I’m excited about our four freshmen.”

Hassmiller said they’re training the team to work as a unit.

“We’re trying to build a foundation with fundamentals – solid passing and dribbling and everyone knowing their role and place on the team,” he said. “We are really glad to have Dorran Wilson back. He balances the team and creates offense, not just for himself, but open shots for his teammates as well.”

Wilson, a sophomore, was out early last year with an injury.

The team’s seasoned seniors include Ethan Camarena, Garrett Hitz and Brandon Gillihan.

Each has played basketball since sixth grade, and they all said they’re optimistic about the team this year.

“We’re trying to build a winning attitude in everybody this season, and we expect nothing less than a state championship,” said Camarena. “We have a great group of kids, and we get along great. It helps a lot as a team when you’re like brothers – like family.”

Hitz said the team is developing a “no-quit attitude.”

“I look forward to playing with the younger kids – they have a lot of grit,” he said.

“I think we’re headed to be great this season and think we’ll do really well,” said Gillihan. “We have a great team, and I’m happy to be with all the players.”

Gill said the Panthers are working on ball movement, reducing turnovers and defense.

“We’re going to be the aggressor and bring the action to the opponent,” he said.

He added that they also work to have fun and said sportsmanship is one of their core principles.

“It’s all about discipline in how you carry yourself on and off the court,” Gill said.

Hassmiller added, “Our kids are so humble, we almost have to get some fire out of them.”

All the coaches agreed they’d like to see the fans in the stands for the girls and boys basketball games.

Gill said although the boys team has had some down years, they are competitive this year and believe in themselves.

“The league will be competitive, and we want to be one of the top three teams,” he said.