In sports, opportunity often breeds competition.

That same mindset will be key for the 2020-21 Panther Valley boys’ basketball squad.

The Panthers are coming off a historic 2019-20 campaign (14-12) in which they captured their first district championship and state playoff victory since 1986.

PV also graduated one of its most successful senior classes of all time, including top scorers Brandon Stilitino, Erick Marcharro, Aaron Gutierrez and Blake White. The class of 2020 finished with 45 wins in three seasons - most since the class of 1993.

“Coming into this season, we’re in a situation we haven’t been in a long time as far as experience returning,” said 2019-20 Pennsylvania Coaches Association Boys Basketball Coach of the Year Pat Crampsie. “We’ve mostly always had that mix of upperclassmen and younger guys, but last year we were a senior-laden team.

“But the group we have now, although they’re inexperienced, have been extremely dedicated for years. It’s a group that’s been playing together since elementary and junior high, and I think that will help during the maturation process.”

Replacing scoring will be priority No. 1 for Panther Valley this season.

The Panthers graduated 47.04 points per game, which was responsible for 84 percent of their scoring output. But as they say, opportunity knocks, and with the departure of four starters, there is plenty of opportunity out there to earn playing time.

“Practice has been really competitive, and that’s what gets you better,” said Crampsie. “The kids have really embraced competing, and they understand the opportunities in front of them for playing time.

“This is the most playing time we’ve had available in years, and the opportunity is there to go out on the floor and work hard, score points, get rebounds and generate assists. Everyone is getting after it and working hard.”

Senior guard Bryce Krapf returns and has the most in-game experience of anyone returning from last season, and will be counted on to be the leader of this young group.

Freshmen Chase Weaver (PG) and Stephen Hood (F/C) are two youngsters that Crampsie expects to come in and make an immediate impact. Austin Hadley (C), Ben Kindt (G), Mike Pascoe (G), Cody Orsulak (G), Tommy Edwards (C), Bradley Hood (G/F), Anthony Fatzie (F), Seth Berk (C) and Drew Kokinda will all be competing for playing time as well.

“Bryce has been around the block,” said Crampsie. “He’s a leader for us, he’s focused and a competitor. Two guys we’re really excited about that we’re hoping will score for us this year are freshmen Chase Weaver and Stephen Hood. Weaver has done a nice job for us in the preseason handling pressure in our scrimmages, and Hood can score in a variety of ways. He can get it done in the paint, and he also can step out and shoot it.

“Austin Hadley is a good athlete who is tough and competes for rebounds, and Ben Kindt was our JV point guard last season, so he will bring some more ball handling to the fold. Mike Pascoe, Cody Orsulak, Tommy Edwards and Bradley Hood are all in the mix as well as some others. It’s a competitive atmosphere, and that’s what we want.”