As one of three seniors on the Stone Memorial Panthers roster this season, Hunter Haney said he knows the responsibility that comes with experience.
Haney said he is not just focused on points and rebounds. He is focused on leading. Haney said the Panthers have built something this year that goes beyond basketball.
“We just play well together,” Haney said. “We all were good friends, like we would hang out, it wasn’t all the seniors hanging out and all the juniors, it was seniors hanging out with freshmen and sophomores and we just had like a really close team bond that not a lot of teams had.”
Listed at 6-foot-3 and capable of playing both small forward and power forward, Haney has been one of the team’s most efficient contributors. He has shot over 50 percent from the floor this season, ranked near the top of the team in rebounds, and led the Panthers in blocks. But Haney said, individual production is not the goal.
“I just want to be able to lead our team and make a deep playoff run,” Haney said. “That is something I didn’t get to achieve here. That really has been my focus on where I want to get with this team.”
The Panthers are aiming for a return trip to Murfreesboro for the TSSAA state tournament, something the program has not accomplished since the 2021 season. Haney said he understands what that would mean, not only for the program but for this senior class.
“Every game to me [going forward] is going to be very important,” Haney said. “I want to go home knowing I won at this place or won at that place so every game, every district game, I’m not going to take it for granted.”
With strong team chemistry, veteran leadership and unfinished business, Haney said he believes the Panthers have the pieces to make something special happen. And as one of the leaders in the locker room, Haney said he is determined to help take them there.