CONNORVILLE — Buckeye Local lost two players from its 2024-25 team, a pair of multi-year starters and two capable scorers in Maddy Roset and Alyssa Dailey.

Two years prior, a similar scenario transpired.

In 2023-24, the Panthers finished second in the OVAC regular season standings, eventually falling to champion Indian Creek in the conference tournament finale after advancing by besting Oak Glen.

Two mainstays graduated from that 13-11 team. The Panthers fought in 2024-25 but managed only a 4-19 record despite the best efforts of its two seniors and returners.

Now the Panthers enter a new campaign with a varsity roster 11 players strong, seven of which are classified as underclassmen.

There will be a lot of new faces and growing pains as the new Panthers work to gel with a trio of seniors and one junior.

That lack of experience showed during the team’s season opening loss to a solid Edison team, 55-11.

Head coach Bailey McBeth and his staff will have to keep spirits high as the youthful Panthers work through some growing pains and the younger players adjust to the varsity-level game.

Senior posts Sammi Westfall and Harmony Woodland return, along with guard Haley Colabelli (5-2).

They are joined by senior guard Chasity Stewart, who canned a 3-pointer from the win early against the Wildcats to trim a first-quarter deficit to 9-3.

The rest of the roster is composed of three sophomores and three freshmen.

Sophomore Alexis Baker led the Panthers in Game One, supplying five points including three at the free-throw line.

Speedy sophomore Jordyn Littleton (5-1), along with Brooke Driscoll and Destiny Dombroski round out the sophomore class.

Freshman Emma Vitek (5-6) managed three points vs. Edison, and they are joined by twins Haleigh and Jaelynn Brown (5-8), who provide the Panthers with some size in the paint.

Fortunately for Buckeye, three of its next four games will take place on its home court, including an early-season barometer check against Indian Creek.