Panther seniors setting the pace

With veteran guidance being key to the upcoming season, Beaver notes the summer efforts of players like point guard Alex Crawford, shooting guard Jarvis Shaw and center Ben Weaver as the Panthers prepare for 2010-2011.

“The seniors look really good,” Beaver said Friday before a shooting session. “I’m excited about this senior group.”

Since this will be Beaver’s fourth year, this senior class is the first to be coached entirely by Beaver and his staff.

“It’s fun to get a whole group through,” he said.

Jackson County, which won six games last year, will have five seniors on the roster this year. Perimeter shooters Crawford and Shaw are likely the Panthers’ top two scoring options in 2010-2011, while Weaver provides a presence in the post.

For the Panthers — who will rely on structured offensive sets, sharing the ball and making the extra pass this winter — everything will start with the seniors.

“They probably will carry us next year,” Beaver said.

Crawford, Shaw, Weaver and the rest of the Panther team have been rather busy as of late.

In between work in the gym, Jackson County played three scrimmage games at Hart County Thursday and three more Friday as the team preps for this winter’s campaign.

Beaver said that veterans and newcomers alike performed well.

“The young kids are coming in and doing a good job … Our returning players are looking really solid.”

Jackson County left Sunday for a 70-team mega camp at Presbyterian College for what basically amounted to a hoops marathon. The Panthers were to play 16 games in three days.

“It’s a huge camp,” Beaver said Friday.

The out-of-state camp concluded Jackson County’s summer schedule, though it will hold some shooting workouts in July as it continues to work towards this winter.

By all accounts, it’s been a fun and productive summer for the Panther seniors and everyone else involved.

“The kids have been great,” Beaver said. “They’ve done everything we’ve asked.”