The No. 2 ranked Panthers tipped off their season on a strong note, picking up a 72-65 victory in Moline over Black Hawk College.
It was in the Region IV Championship last March where these two met in Cicero, where the Panthers won 101-51. However, the change of venue made it a much more competitive matchup.
The Panthers led 31-24 at the half, but there were some offensive stars that stepped their games up when they had to.
"This opening win showed us even more of what we need to work on and improve on in practice. We have a lot of work to do, but if we trust in our coaching staff we will be good," said star forward Frannie Metz.
Metz was one of the more clutch players in America last season and always makes the right play at key moments. We saw her connect on five or more three-pointers against two of the top teams in the nation last season in Port Huron for Nationals.
The former Nazareth Roadrunner did not disappoint, scoring 7 of her 12 points in the fourth quarter. She made all four of her free throws, which was a factor that led to several postseason wins last season.
Metz banked in a vital three-pointer as well, but the ability to play positionless basketball was just one of the many reasons she brings so much value to the No. 2 Panthers.
"We had to come together and play as a team. We were not playing fluidly or together, so coming together and believing in each other and trusting each other was huge in the big moments," said Metz.
Metz was one of four double-digit scorers on the night. Clair Hyde, a star freshman guard from Wheaton North, didn't waste any time for the Panther backcourt.
Hyde dropped a team-high 19 points, including three of the team's 10 made three-pointers.
Kaylen Evans, another former Nazareth Roadrunner, excelled in the backcourt. The explosive guard can find her own shot and create with the best of them. Dropping 13 points in the opening half helped build the lead. Evans finished with 18 and the potential for consistent success is exciting.
It wasn't an easy matchup on the road in the opener. Trailing 63-61 with 3:29 left, the Panthers had a timeout to regroup after Black Hawk took the lead with a three of their own.
The Panthers then went on a 14-2 run in the final 3:29, to pull off the victory in impressive fashion.
Jalyssa Carrasco was a key component of last season's starting lineup. The stifling defense and ability to knock down outside shots were shown once again in the season-opening victory. Having plus defenders is what often leads to success, but the depth of this team should be a strength as the season progresses.
The lack of size last season has improved this offseason with the addition of a 6-footer in Taylor Marquart. It was apparent that the ability to rebound, defend, and get high-percentage looks will be another weapon that the Panthers will have at their disposal. The ability to space the floor and allow even more of their shooters to have open looks could be a true blessing.
Mia Simpson was an unstoppable force last season, leading the NJCAA Division II in field-goal percentage at 64.2%. The ability to go up and get any missed shots, create off the bounce, and finish at the bucket has been impressive.
Coming off the bench in the season-opener, Simpson put up 20 points with 12 of them coming in the final quarter of regulation.
Many of those open looks didn't fall for the Panthers, but they still found ways to get the victory and understand there is plenty to improve upon early on in the season.
"We are struggling offensively, missing both shots and layups that we should be making. We have so much potential on the offensive end that is currently untouched," said Metz.
Next up for the No. 2 Panthers (1-0) will be a Thursday home game against Harry S. Truman College at 5:15 pm at the Henry J. Vais Gymnasium.
