After a phenomenal season for the Potomac Falls basketball team last year, they are ready to head in the same direction this year. After wrapping up their season in the state semi-finals, the Panthers are looking to continue their winning tradition behind Coach Jeff Hawes.  

 “Our goal is always to win our conference and win the conference tournament.  It is more important than ever this year as the winner of Conference 14 will have home court advantage through the region playoffs. Our top goal is to get back to the state tournament for the sixth time in eight years,” said Hawes.

Although the Panthers had a very successful season last year, Hawes thinks there is a lot they can improve on to be that much better.

 “We plan on being much better defensively this year.  That is without a doubt the area where we can improve the most, and it will help us become very difficult to beat,” said Hawes.

 The Panthers’ backcourt has already improved before the season even started with new transfer shooting guard from Middleburg Academy, and Division II Fairmont State commit, senior Christian Sweazie. The Panthers are the currently projected to be the top team in one of the state’s most competitive conferences, Conference 14.  

“Middleburg and [Potomac Falls] are way different. [Potomac Falls] is a lot more kids and way more [students] to get involved with the school and all the school spirit,” said Sweazie.

The Panthers back court is lead by seniors Brian Sweeney, Christian Sweazie, and David Walls, who plan to help their team win key games.

 “Every game will be key, especially conference games,  but we need to go out with the same mentality every game,” said Sweeney.

 The Potomac Falls basketball team plans to continue their winning ritual, by making another run at the state championship.

 Potomac Falls will play their first game tonight against Robert E. Lee High School, and their first Conference 14 opponent, Broad Run High School, on Jan. 10, at Broad Run.   

 The team’s schedule can be found on the Potomac Falls Athletics website:

http://potomacfallsathletics.org/main/teamschedule/id/20885/seasonid/4142105