PANTHERS ARE COUNTY RUNNERS-UP, EARN A TOP 10 RATING IN CLASS 2A (Updated 1/23/2012)

Coach Mike Mitchell's Panther squad bounced back from the loss of point guard Austin Penter (broken foot), earned the Runners-Up Trophy at the annual Lauderdale County Tournament and posted a 18-6 mark through January 23. Included among the victories were a season-opening 77-70 win over 6A Florence and a 36-34 win over 5A Muscle Shoals. Through the first semester the Panthers were averaging 61.4 points per game while holding their opponents to 48.5 points per contest. MH was the Area champions with a 7-0 in area play with only one area game remaining and had secured home court advantage for the Area. Landon Willis (10.2 ppg), Joe Wilson (9.2 ppg), Griffin Hibbett (8.9 ppg), Thomas Swinea (8.7 ppg) and Harrison Chastain (8.4 ppg) lead a balanced offensive attack. Joe Wilson leads the squad with 37 3-point goals.

LADY PANTHERS POST 19 WINS; EARN TOP 5 RANKING IN CLASS 2A AND A RUNNERS-UP TROPHY FROM THE LAUDERDALE TOURNAMENT (Updated 1/23/2012)

Ranked 5th in the state by the ASWA, Coach Ashley Rutledge has the Lady Panthers off to their best start in several seasons. The squad is 20-5 (7-0 in area play) after finishing as Runners-Up in the annual Lauderdale County Tournament. The Lady Panthers have already clinched the Area title and will host the Area Tournament in February. They played their best games at the Northwest Alabama Christmas Tournament held at Lauderdale County HS, defeating both Colbert County (53-29) and defending 3A state champion Clements (50-46 in OT), while losing to ranked Woodland (65-67) and Mississippi state and tournament champion Belmont MS (57-68). A balanced scoring attack is led by Ann Marie Mitchell (9.6 ppg), Carley Harrison (8.6 ppg), Tatyana Rutherford (8.0 ppg), Morgan Leavitt (7.8 ppg) and Mary Brooke Willis (7.4 ppg). Carley Harrison leads the team with 40 3-point baskets and Morgan Leavitt has 21. The Lady Panthers are outscoring their opponents 54.3 to 39.8 per game.

MH RECORDS 1600th BASKETBALL WIN

The victory over Lexington in the 2010-2011 finals of the Lauderdale County Tournament at Central was the 1,600th in the program's storied career.

CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER!

 

Focus! The Lady Panthers continued their steady improvement, winning their 19th game in January and clinchinmg the regular-season Area title.

 

BASKETBALL TIDBITS (Updated 2/1/2012):

• Current boys' coach, Mr. Mike Mitchell, has a career record 691 wins (with only 210 losses) at both MHBS and Greater Atlanta Christian as of January 30, 2012. He has coached five Alabama state championship girl's teams at MHBS and three Georgia state championship teams at GACS. He has also coached two teams (one at each school) that earned state runners-up honors.
• The first MH team to reach the state tournament was the 1962-63 boys' team (25-9) coached by Mr. Charles Beavers.
• AREA TITLES: The boys teams have earned Area titles 22 times; 14 times they have been area runners-up. The Lady Panthers own 16 Area titles and have finished second seven times.
• TOP FINISH IN BOYS STATE TOURNAMENT: State runners-up in 1995-96 (29-3, coach: Mr. David Willingham) and in 2000-2001 (31-7, coach: Mr. Tony Willis).
• GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS: 1978-79 (22-6, coach: Mrs. Beth Brewer), 1987-88 (23-6, coach: Mr. Mike Mitchell), 1988-89 (31-4, coach: Mr. Mike Mitchell), 1989-90 (32-2, coach: Mr. Mike Mitchell), 1990-91 (26-6, coach: Mr. Mike Mitchell), 1995-96 (28-3, coach: Mr. Mike Mitchell), 2004-2005 (21-9, coach: Ms. Cindy Caudle). MH won 34 consecutive playoff games from 1987-1992.
• ALL-TIME LEADING SCORERS (GIRLS): Karen Killen (2,475); Sarah Bailey (2,023); Susan Berry (1,846); Lora Turner (1,821); Kerrie Myers (1,722); Kristi Johnson (1,604); Amanda Thompson (1,342); Brooke Morrow (1,129); Lisa Branscome (1.013).
• ALL-TIME LEADING SINGLE SEASON SCORING AVERAGES (BOYS): Dickie Gray (30.5, 1960-61); Dustin Wright (27.4, 1992-93); Greg Tyon (24.9, 1979-80); Kyle Mitchell (23.0, 2001-2002).
• ALL-TIME LEADING 3-POINT SHOOTERS (BOYS): Dustin Wright (188); Bradley Willis (147); Matthew Harrison (143); John Mann (136); Josh Willingham (133); Luke Copeland (118); Mitchell Barnes (103); Garrett Turner (102); Bart Holt (100); Josh Wear (98). (GIRLS): Baylee Jeffrey (124); Trella Townsley (111); Kerrie Myers (100); Carley Harrison (77); Darby Rappuhn (73).
• COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS: The boys' team has reached the Lauderdale County championship game 24 times and have won six titles; the Lady Panthers have reached the county finals 14 times and have won three county titles.