Panthers have focus on winning SCA Conference

With three returning starters and another who saw a lot of time in the main line-up, the Mountain Grove Panthers’ basketball team is looking to make some noise during the 2025-2026 season.
The key starters include Kale Gardner, Aden Estep, Brody Emery and Eli Golden.
Kale Gardner was a co-MVP in Wright County last year on a squad that was a co-champion of the South Central Association (SCA) Conference with their 6-1 record.
He averaged an astounding 19.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.
Other key contributors this season for the Panthers includes Brady Anderson, Peyton Metty, Brady Harris, Bret Gardner, Braydon Curtiss and Dalton Shannon.
One challenge for head coach Nick Openshaw early this season is that many of his players just wrapped up football after playing in the state quarterfinals this past Saturday.
Offensively, Coach Openshaw’s team will push the pace and play as a team. Timing will be important to the looks they get.
Defensively, man-to-man defense will be a focus as his players will need to provide pressure to make their opponents uncomfortable.
Mountain Grove hosted Eldon just after press time on Nov. 25.
They will play in the Strafford Invitational from Dec. 1-6.