This offseason for the Knoxville Girls Basketball Program will be a little more structured than last year. One reason is that Coach Matt Ritchhart will have an entire offseason to make sure his girls get into the gym and to any other playing they need. Ritchhart was hired around Memorial Day last year and he tells KNIA/KRLS Sports it was more of a hectic offseason leading into his first year with the Panthers.

Ritchhart: “We’re trying to get more stuff going on this summer, maybe a top 64 league in Pella, we’ll try to get girls in the gym shooting and hopefully by November we’re better than we are today.”

He is already seeing early on several of the girls are getting into the gym to get up shots. He adds the emphasis will be shooting and improved strength by getting into the weight room. Knoxville finished up 10-12 this season.