Knoxville and PCM renew the Highway 14 rivalry tonight in girls basketball in Monroe. It is Knoxville’s season opener and the Panthers are coming off a 20-3 season last year, but are trying to replace 23 points per game that was lost to graduation. After that, Knoxville returns eight girls who had varsity experience last season. Coach Jim Uitermarkt tells KRLS Sports he is not that concerned about experience since he has a lot coming back

Uitermarkt:
“The one thing that you look at on our team that most teams would be very envious of and we lost a lot from Katie and her great defense that way. The other side of it is we have a lot returning. we just have to figure out how to get those pieces together and mix them that way.”

On the other side, PCM is coming off of a heartbreaking loss in its season opener on Saturday, falling to Chariton 49-48. Like Knoxville, PCM lost an all-time great player in Regan Freeland, but Coach Jeff Lindsay says he also has several girls who have varsity experience wanting to make a mark on the team.

Lindsay:
“There’s a lot of experience there, and I also expect a lot of leadership as well. They’re all solid individuals. They’re all leaders there, and we expect a lot out of them to shoulder the load between all four of them.

Since 2001 this series has been nearly even with Knoxville holding an 8-7 advantage winning the last three games including last season’s 60-37 triumph in Knoxville. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30pm at PCM High School in Monroe.