PORUM PANTHERS
Coach: KEELY HALLMAN
Last Year: 25-8
OUTLOOK
In 2023 the Porum Panthers were just one game short of making it to the state tournament, losing to state runner-up Red Oak in the super regionals. As 2024 gets underway, the Panthers return a good nucleus of players from that team that went 25-8 but they’ll be looking for some help from their youngsters to propel them back into the playoffs.
“Our team has a lot of talent returning from last year, but we will still be very young with no seniors on the roster,” said coach Keely Hallman. “We’ve just got 10 players on the roster, so we’ll need the freshmen that are coming up to really step up big.”
Junior Leia Johnson anchors the Panthers team as a catcher, pitcher or third baseman.
“Leia is all around athlete who can play and excel at any position she plays,” said Hallman. “She has had the highest batting average on the team the last two years and also led the team in homeruns.”
In fact, the Panthers have several players that can play multiple positions which provides a lot of needed depth if there are injuries along the way. Another of those players is Mesa Coulston who can pitch or play first or second base.
“Mesa is the glue that holds our team together,” said Hallman. “She’s the ace of the pitching staff and was named the Most Valuable Pitcher this summer at the USSSAA U16 tournament.”
Other players back for another season on the diamond for the Panthers include juniors Jaelyn Smith who can pitch or play second base, outfielder Jaimie Purdom, Camryn Mann who can catch or play second or third base and Cierra “Debo” Mann who anchors the first base spot.
“Cierra is an outstanding teammate, great kid and fantastic student and is always there to pick up her teammates,” said Hallman.
As mentioned, Hallman will also be looking to several underclassmen to start or add depth including sophomores Heidi Purdom and Ashlyn Crowder “a quick, athletic and versatile player who can play shortstop or outfield and started last year as a freshman” according to Hallman as well freshmen Kasandra Horton and Jessa Cottrell.
