The Panthers program is traditionally a power and this year is no exception to that statement.

Head coach Bob Waggoner heads into this with virtually everyone back from a regional championship squad that got pummeled at the DuQuoin 2A Sectional by Alton Marquette.

The lesson probably had an effect on the returning kids heading into the 2019-20 season.

The math adds up to high expectations, which is what this program has always been about.

Five seniors, four juniors and pair of sophomores all have skill sets ready to help this team be one of the deepest teams this coach has had since coming to Pinckneyville.

First team ABV and all-state pick Dawson Yates is back for the Panthers.

The 6-foot-2 guard is already past 1,000 points for his career and he should add a lot of points to that total very soon.

Devin Kitchen, a 6-foot-1 senior, battled a knee injury last year suffered in football and was never 100 percent.

He should be ready to go this season.

Both of those players, as sophomores, were major factors in the Panthers getting to the state finals in Peoria in 2018.

Five-foot-ten guard Noah Carter is back as well as 5-foot-10 guard Hunter Riggins.

Grant Tanner, a 6-foot-4 forward, will give Pinckneyville some size up front.

The junior class has some talent as well.

Two of the juniors are also 6-foot-4.

Dre Scott and Preston Dagner are both going to add length and athletic ability.

Six-foot-one junior Ben Restoff and 5-foot-8 junior Brenden Ritter add even more depth.

Not forgetting about the two sophomores, both will play as this club looks to beat teams with their depth and athletic ability.

Five-foot-nine sophomore Duke Riggins and 6-foot-1 Nile Adcock will be part of what will be going on all season at this Perry County juggernaut.

“We will have a deep and experienced team. This will be the third year of varsity experience for several of our seniors. I really like our overall team depth. I hope to play eight to nine players every game,” said Coach Waggoner, who is 295-84 heading into his 13th season in charge of the Panthers.
Waggoner has won eight regionals in his 12 seasons in charge here.

The ninth one should come the last week in February.

OUTLOOK – What's not to like. They have a combination of athletic ability and size and there is plenty of that. Yates is a key player because of the way he can score when the team needs a bucket. They schedule will be tough and the postseason is going to be MUCH tougher this year with all of the teams dropping down to 2A. This program always produces great teams because top to bottom they are on the same page. They are the preseason ABV number one and are the slight favorite to get back to Peoria.