Pickford Panthers Varsity Basketball team includes Coach Becky Arbic and players Lauren Waybrant-25, Kacey Nyberg-24, Veronica Gough-32, Jessie Ledy-12, Caitlin Mortinsen-22, Chelsey O'Connor-10, Renae Reich-20, Brittany Kucharczyk-4, Melissa Kucharczyk-15, Shannon Portice-30, Chelsey Davenport-35, and Kaylynn Portice-45. Pickford, with first-year coach Becky Arbic at the helm, went through an average regular season last year, but as the season progressed the team and coach found the right ingredients and the Panthers went on to win the Class D district championship.

Coach Arbic lost just two seniors to graduation, but returns nine girls who completed the season and will make a serious run at the Eastern Upper Peninsula Conference crown.

Seniors returning for their final season are Lauren Waybrant (guard) and Kacey Nyberg (forward).

A core of seven juniors are led by Veronica Gough and Jessie Ledy at guards, Caitlin Mortinsen, Chelsey O'Connor, and Renae Reich forwards. Brittany Kucharczyk (guard), and sophomore Melissa Kucharczyk (guard) return from the team that played in the Class D regionals at Newberry.

First-year varsity players are seniors Shannon Lewis and Chelsey Davenport.

"The returning players and team chemistry is key for our season," said Coach Arbic. "We played well at camp, but we must work on individual roles and play smart basketball."

The Panthers’ goals are to win the Eastern Upper Peninsula Conference crown, district title, and carry the team into the regionals for the second consecutive season.

"The conference will be strong from top to bottom and that means the districts will be tougher,” Coach Arbic said. “You must be ready to play hard every night. We must work on our free throw shooting and make good decisions on the court."

Coach Arbic and assistant coach Susan Maloney will work together to prepare the Panthers for the Eastern Upper Peninsula Conference schedule along with non-league contests with St. Ignace, Inland Lakes, Newberry, Mackinaw City, Rudyard, Sault Ste. Marie, and Pellston.

PICKFORD PANTHERS

Girls Basketball

(All games at 6 p.m.)

August

30 at Engadine

September

1 Cedarville

8 at DeTour

10 Sault

13 Brimley

15 at St. Ignace

20 at Inland Lakes

22 Newberry

27 Mackinaw City

29 at Rudyard

October

4 DeTour

6 at Sault Ste. Marie

13 St. Ignace

18 at Brimley

25 at Newberry

27 at Cedarville

November

1 Pellston

3 Inland Lakes

8 Engadine

11 Rudyard