What does it take to take a team playing varsity with 9th and 10th graders and turn them into championship contenders?

Talent is a must and good leadership is absolutely necessary.  Panther Creek High School was blessed with plenty talent.  Earnest Ross was one of the best players in the area, the Oliver twins matured into solid starters,  Aaron Toney improved every year, and Mike Hood turned into a valuable 6th man.  The leadership from the bench came in the form of coach LJ Hepp.

(End of year awards are sponsored in part by Victory Trophies & Gifts)

Hepp came to the newly formed Panther Creek Catamounts in 06/07 after a couple of seasons on the Stanford Cardinal staff.  That first season was not an easy one, the team went 4-22, but Hepp was laying the ground work.   Hepp told Trianglehoops.net earlier this year "we knew then, we had a chance," regarding the opening season.  The Catamounts took full advantage of that chance in 08/09.

Panther Creek went 28-3 behind the strength of 9 Seniors that got beat up the inaugural season of Catamount basketball.  Hepp formed his team into a balanced squad that could win in almost any way imaginable.  Most impressive were the varying defenses employed to slow the opposing teams' best offensive player.  The Catamounts were Tri-8 regular season and tournament champions this season, and earned a trip to Greenville in the NCHSAA tournament.  Next season coach Hepp will have to recover from the loss of so many prime time players, but this time around he will not be starting from scratch.

Others in the running for Coach Of The Year

Scott McInnes-Millbrook

Darryl Robinson-Durham Hillside

Tommy Moore-Enloe

David Kushner-Middle Creek

Art Richmond-Southern Durham

David Neal-Apex

Denny Medlin-Clayton

Robert Clemons-Athens Drive

Past Winners

06/07 LeVelle Moton-Sanderson

07/08 David Neal-Apex