Last Tuesday, it was the girls’ battle for bragging rights between Knoxville and Monroe and tonight, the boys basketball squads between Knoxville and PCM will open their respective seasons. Knoxville is coming off an injury-filled season last year after getting out to an 11-3 start, the Panthers ended the season at 11-10. Knoxville starts the season with a couple key players on the injured list, but Coach Troy Pearson tells KNIA/KRLS Sports those injured players should be back soon. Pearson adds they have been centering in on two words this season is together and toughness, the Panthers could turn a team potentially poised to have a breakout season to one that can.

Pearson: “I think our potential is really high. Potential could be a dirty word but if you stay together as a team you don’t’ realize that potential. Two words we’ve been using in practice are together and toughness and those are two things very crucial to winning basketball games.”

For PCM, the Mustangs will have a different look this season as legendary coach Fred Lorensen retired this summer and Tony Ford now takes over as the Mustangs will try to improve on an 8-15 record last year. PCM has dominated the series since 2001 with the Mustangs holding a 14-3 lead winning last year’s matchup in Monroe 70-52. Live coverage can be heard on 95.3 KNIA starting at 7:15.