An early season bragging rights game takes place in Monroe tonight as Knoxville travels to PCM to start off our coverage of high school basketball. Knoxville lost a lot of scoring from last season and brings back only one scorer who had any varsity experience last year. Hannah Dunkin averaged 15.9 points per game as the Panthers’ leading scorer but will be called on to do much more this season. The lack of varsity experience is a concern with Coach Matt Ritchhart but hopes the girls will progress.

Ritchhart: “You also have to know where you’re at and your skilled players are. Where we are in November may be different from where we are in February, and I’m looking forward to that journey.”

PCM may be the opposite, as the Mustangs bring back a lot of their scoring. Coach Sami Allison-Rodriguez tells KNIA/KRLS Sports she is fortunate to have so many combinations back this season.

Rodriguez: “To have everyone back, but the one player, this freshman group I don’t think they know how lucky they are because it has been pretty seamless. They’re leading really well, they know what’s expected, they know the high energy. It’s just been really fun.”

PCM already has a game under its belt as the Mustangs trounced Chariton on Friday 51-16. Knoxville went 11-11 last season and lost to PCM for the first time in six seasons. The Panthers currently hold the series lead since 2001 11-8. Live coverage can be heard 95.3 KNIA starting at 7:15.