Tonight, January 30th the Green Level Gators will take on the Panther Creek Catamounts at 8 pm in each of the respective school’s biggest rivalry. Green Level defended their home court in the first matchup on December 15th with a score of 65-57. 

Panther Creek is led by Sr. Guard Chris Uwayo who just eclipsed the 1000-point mark on Friday vs. Cary. Uwayo became the 5th player in Panther Creek history to obtain this prestigious accomplishment. He is averaging 16.4 PPG to go along with 4.1 APG being the offensive catalyst for the Catamounts. Sr Forward Logan Ware is averaging 12.1 PPG to go along with 5.9 RPG while also being a rim protector with 1.8 BPG. Sr Forward Cam Hunter is averaging 9.7 PPG, and 9 RPG and is typically tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player. Panther Creek has been hot ever since they lost at Green Level, only losing 2 games to  Top 15 teams in North Carolina with Laney and New Hanover defeating them over winter break. Since then, the Catamounts have won 7 straight games and are undefeated in the SWAC. 

Green Level is off to their best start in school history by far with a record of 18-0. The Gators are led by Jr Forward Isaac Ericksen who joined his sister, Audrey, as the only players in the Green Level 1000-point club. The Jr Ericksen is averaging 17.7 PPG and 8.4 RPG. I asked Ericksen how the Gators will deal with the outside noise that comes with playing at Panther Creek in a rivalry game. He said, “We are going to play our game. We know what we do and don’t want the talk and noise to affect how we play.” Jr Izzy Eatman is also having an incredible season with 13.7 PPG while being very efficient. He is shooting 51% from 3 and 58% from FG. The Gators also get big contributions from the rest of their starting lineup with Sr. Tye Cain averaging 9.8 PPG to go along with 3.3 APG. I asked Tye if he is coming into this game with a different mindset considering that it could be his last time playing against Panther Creek. He said, “Whether it’s the last time or not, it doesn’t matter to me. All I want to do is win, simple as that.” Sr. Trey Manhertz is averaging 7.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and is the defensive anchor of Green Level’s frontcourt. His brother, So. Guard Trevor Manhertz has cracked into the starting lineup as of late and is averaging 5.3 PPG while shooting 48% from 3pt range. 

Panther Creek’s court is going to be packed with students from each school looking to help their team pull out a victory. This game is going to come down to which team can zone out the noise and play their brand of basketball while staying out of any extra-curricular activities going on during the game. The Catamounts are going to have to try and slow down Jr. Isaac Ericksen and Jr. Izzy Eatman, which will force someone else to step up for the Gators. The Catamounts will also need to have someone step up besides just Sr. Chris Uwayo. At the end of the day, the team that has the most guys ready to play and step up will win this high-stakes SWAC matchup.