ST. GEORGE – Two years ago, it was a magical season for Pine View, going 23-2 and winning a state championship in honor of former coach Darin “Skip” Walker. Last year, despite a decent 14-10 record and a trip to the state quarterfinals, Panther fans were left feeling disappointed after two straight losses to end the season.
Enter coach Ryan Eves, who takes over for Darrell Larsen as the leader of the Pine View program.
“We’ve got super high expectations,” Eves said. “We’ve got a loaded senior class. We’ve got eight seniors coming back. We’re going to ride them to the end.”
Backcourt: Kade Moore is the only returning starter, but the senior will move from point guard to shooting guard. McKay Lambert, called a “sleeper” by Eves, has tremendous range and will stretch defenses. Ty Kollera and Michael Frodsham also played some last season.
Frontcourt: The big guys have Eves excited for the season, with starter Trey Farrer having shown tremendous improvement in the offseason and Dylan Hendrickson becoming a tough man to guard with his size and quickness. Jackson Wadsworth and Jake Farish will also factor in.
Pine View was picked second (to Dixie) in the preseason poll and Farrer and Hendrickson received preseason honors. The Panthers’ transition from Larsen to Eves should be smooth as Eves has been an assistant at PV for years.
“There have been a few adjustments as a head coach, but I’ve been with these guys since about sixth grade,” Eves said. “It’s been a pretty smooth transition.”
Pine View starts the season this weekend at the 3A Preview in Richfield, and will once again participate in the NGC Classic in Page, Ariz. The Panthers will also host the annual Coach Walker Memorial Classic in mid-December. Region play does not begin until Jan. 11.
| DATE | GAME | START TIME / RESULTS | WATCH |
| Friday, Dec. 2 |
3A-2A PREVIEW
vs Manti |
4:00 p.m. | |
| Saturday, Dec. 3 |
3A-2A PREVIEW
vs Union |
10:30 a.m. | |
| Tuesday, Dec. 6 | at Enterprise | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Thursday, Dec. 8 |
NGC CLASSIC
vs TBD |
12:00 a.m. | |
| Friday, Dec. 9 |
NGC CLASSIC
vs TBD |
12:00 a.m. | |
| Saturday, Dec. 10 |
NGC CLASSIC
vs TBD |
12:00 a.m. | |
| Tuesday, Dec. 13 | vs Canyon View | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Thursday, Dec. 15 |
COACH WALKER CLASSIC
vs Maple Mountain |
8:00 p.m. | |
| Friday, Dec. 16 |
COACH WALKER CLASSIC
vs Viewmont |
8:00 p.m. | |
| Wednesday, Dec. 28 |
STEVE HODSON CANCER CLASSIC
vs Spanish Fork |
5:30 p.m. | |
| Friday, Dec. 30 |
STEVE HODSON CANCER CLASSIC
vs Waterford |
3:30 p.m. | |
| Wednesday, Jan. 11 | vs Snow Canyon | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Friday, Jan. 13 | at Hurricane | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Wednesday, Jan. 18 | at Cedar | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Friday, Jan. 20 | at Dixie | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Wednesday, Jan. 25 | vs Desert Hills | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Friday, Jan. 27 | at Snow Canyon | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Wednesday, Feb. 1 | vs Hurricane | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Friday, Feb. 3 | vs Cedar | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Wednesday, Feb. 8 | vs Dixie | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Friday, Feb. 10 | at Desert Hills | 7:00 p.m. |
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