Snow Much Fun Ahead: Winter Athletics for 4th–8th Grade

 

Get ready, Panthers; our Intermediate and Middle School winter sports season has officially begun!

Basketball is already in full swing, and the excitement in the gym is off the charts. And there’s even more to look forward to: Dance kicks off right after Thanksgiving Break, and E-Sports will power up just after Winter Break!

Whether you're a seasoned athlete or trying something new, there’s a place for every Panther to shine this winter. And great news, it’s not too late to sign up! We’d love to see more of our 4th–8th grade students jump in and be part of the action.

Here’s a look at all the fantastic opportunities available for our Intermediate & Middle School athletes this season:

Girls Basketball (5th-8th Grade)

Coach Johnston is back for his third year leading the program, and he’s returning with some serious championship momentum! Fresh off a 6th-grade girls championship-winning season, he’s fired up and already diving into strategies for another incredible year. His passion for basketball is contagious; he encourages our girls to grow, compete, and believe in themselves every step of the way. He was literally talking game plans with players at Global Celebration, so it’s safe to say he hasn’t taken a single day off from preparing for greatness. With Coach Johnston at the helm, our girls are primed and ready for another unforgettable season!

We’re so excited to welcome back Coach James to the girls’ program! After coaching with us several years ago, her return sparked instant excitement. Our girls are absolutely thrilled to have her back on the court. She brings a strong basketball background, incredible positivity, and an energy that lifts the entire team. From fundamentals to teamwork to confidence, Coach James knows how to bring out the best in our athletes. With her and Coach Johnston working together, this season is set to be one full of growth, skill-building, and big-time Panther pride. We are truly grateful she stepped back into this role!

• Practice Schedule: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4:30-6:00 PM in the gym
• Game Schedule:
  • Saturdays, January 10th- February 21st–Basketball League Play (League schedule to be announced once released over winter break)
  • February 24th – March 7th—Basketball City Tournament played during the week and on Saturdays

Boys Basketball (5th-8th Grade)

We’re pumped to welcome Coach Dillon to the Oakhill basketball family! He brings years of coaching experience in AAU programs, private training, and high-level travel basketball, not to mention his background as a collegiate basketball athlete. His knowledge of the game and ability to develop players is next-level, and our student-athletes are absolutely going to benefit from his expertise. Whether he’s breaking down drills, elevating fundamentals, or maybe even showing off a dunk or two, Coach Dillon brings a competitive edge and a whole lot of excitement to the program. We can’t wait to see the impact he makes this season!

Heading into his fifth season coaching this group, Coach Clevenger couldn’t be more fired up! He lives and breathes basketball, and getting to share that passion with our 5th–8th grade boys is something he truly cherishes. The game-planning for this year honestly started the moment last season ended. This coaching team is hungry, prepared, and ready to roll. And yes, he even bought brand-new basketball shoes to show he means business. With Coach Clevenger’s energy, dedication, and love for the game, our boys are in for a season full of growth, grit, and unforgettable Panther moments.

• Practice Schedule: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 6:00-7:30 PM in the gym
• Game Schedule:
  • Saturdays January 10th- February 21st–Basketball League Play (League schedule to be announced once released over winter break)
  • February 24th – March 7th—Basketball City Tournament played during the week and on Saturdays

E-Sports (4th-8th Grade)

Our Panther E-Sports team just unlocked a major power-up: Coach Dickey is back! Known for boosting players to their highest potential, he’s coached a #1-ranked player, a league champion, and has led multiple Panthers to the playoffs every single season.

Coach Dickey is always building XP: attending E-Sports development conferences, training with pro players, and upgrading strategies to give our team the competitive edge.

Get ready, Panthers. With Coach Dickey back at the controls, this season is about to be next-level.

• First Practice: Monday, January 12th
• Practice Schedule: Mondays and Thursdays from 3:45-4:45 PM
• Match Schedule: Thursdays (League schedule to be announced)
• Details: Athletes will participate in Vanta E-Sports Leagues for Rocket League or Super Smash Bros, competing against players from across the country.

Middle School Dance (4th-8th Grade)

We are thrilled to welcome back Coach Fritz to lead our Oakhill Panther Dance Team! She brings incredible talent, strong leadership, and unmatched passion that lights up the studio the moment she walks in. Coach Fritz has danced since age 3, competed since age 8, and spent 16 years teaching tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, and pom. She’s a former UMKC Dance Team captain, a professional dancer with the Kansas City Command, and has choreographed and judged at the high school, regional, and college levels. Most importantly, she brings a genuine love for dance and a desire to inspire that same joy in every Panther she coaches.

First Practice:

• Tuesday, December 2nd: 3:40–4:40 PM Main Campus Gym
• Pickup: Main entrance of the main campus

Weekly Practice Schedule:

• Tuesdays: 3:40–4:40 PM at Main Campus
   
  • Pickup at the main entrance
     
• Thursdays: 3:40–4:30 PM at South Campus
   
  • Pickup at the Acorn Doors of the south campus
     

Performance Opportunities: Our dance team will perform at home basketball games, with the performance schedule set once league schedules are released in late December.

Questions? Please Contact: Taylor Clevenger or Chris Fernandez

SIGN UP TODAY