The No. 2 ranked Panthers are coming off a memorable 2021-22 season that saw them reach nationals and achieve remarkable success.
The national runner-ups are far from done keeping up against the elite competition. For some programs, a step up in competition can be an uphill climb when they battle the upper-echelon teams in the country.
The Panthers were known for their ability to knock down peremeter shots at will last season, ranking second in the NJCAA Division II. This year they are off to a great start thanks to a new backcourt tandem of Claire Hyde and Kaylen Evans.
The two freshmen have been sensational in the early going, combining for 86 points, on 30-64 shooting from the floor. From beyond the arc, the dynamic duo has been scorching the nets at a .422 clip (19-45).
The three-point specialty of the Panther offense seems to be back yet again, already knocking down 32 of 87 through two games in the season. They are on pace to be among the nation's leaders yet again and they could be even more efficient as well.
Currently averaging 91 points a game, they also rank in the Top 10 in several other statistical categories.
Last season they averaged just over 80 a game, good for eighth in the country. The game will slow down in Port Huron against teams that will all run different styles and tempos. That will be a factor as the team heads for a two-game road trip in Arizona.
Hyde, the former Wheaton North product, has been a thrill to watch but is looking forward to how the team will continue to improve during the season.
"I love that the offensive system we run provides a lot of opportunities for every girl on the team to hit shots at any given night, it's something new to me and I'm looking forward to how we progress throughout the year," said Hyde.
The Panthers have higher preseason expectations from the national landscape perspective, but nothing has changed about the goals of the team.
Being ranked in the top two in consecutive weeks for the first time in school history is great, but the team is looking to get better each and every week. Plus, many were unaware of their talents heading into nationals last season.
This was also despite the fact that the Panthers ranked near or inside the Top 10 for the majority of the season, especially down the stretch of the season. It was then at Port Huron that the nation saw what the team was capable of and this season could be special as well.
Many roads to the end of the season are a bit bumpy for some programs. That is often due to the lack of a challenging schedule. The Panthers 2022 slate on paper is stronger than ever and they will be tested on their upcoming road trips.
There are seven of their next eight games upcoming against teams that were at Nationals last season or that are currently ranked. This weekend the Panthers head to the desert to take on Central Arizona and Mesa (Az.). Mesa possesses a bevy of playmakers as their current rank of No. 8 will certainly test the second-ranked Panthers.
Star guard Kaylen Evans has found plenty of success from beyond the arc alongside Hyde. The guard can create her own shot and knock plenty of them down when given the opportunity. She is ready for the upcoming challenges that possess Top 20 talent.
"I am looking forward to traveling with the team to compete and enjoy the opportunity to play really good competition early in the season," said Evans.
Head coach Jason Nichols has been able to coach the team up for the past two-plus seasons in Cicero, IL. The Panthers have been dominant on both ends of the floor, but getting his team to compete at a high level and improving them is where his focus lies.
"I'm not interested in padding our record, I am interested in our team getting better. This schedule prepares us for the reality of who we are. Who we are now is not who we want to be when the Region 4 playoffs begin. I look forward to the challenge and can't wait for us to get better by playing the elite competition over the next four weeks," said Nichols.
The trip all starts on Friday against Central Arizona and then there is a Saturday matchup with Mesa (Az.). Mesa was an exceptional team last season that appeared in the NJCAA National Tournament in Port Huron, Michigan.
"I am extremely excited to see how the team comes out and responds to the great competition. It'll be an awesome opportunity to figure out where we are as a group," said Hyde.
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