5A: Central Panthers – 2025-26 Season Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the high school season approaches, rosters are being released and I'm going to be previewing each team from the 6A and 5A levels. I'll go over each team's key players going into this coming season, list the returners/newcomers, and key departures. Here is the preview of the Central Panthers (5A) of the Mid-Willamette Conference.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Tyler Allen (3rd Season at Central, 21-28 Record)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Season's Record: 8-16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1606558"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69241e2e00a5c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Holestine's a shooter, more likely to spot up for the catch and shoot but also able to create space for himself a little bit or come off screens for the shot on the move. The 6-foot-1 Central senior didn't force the action, but rather played within the system and was more than willing to share the ball and show some hustle on the defensive end. (JT)<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ryan Burgett","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Central","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69241e2e00c19"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the most impressive performers today was Ryan Burgett. The Central senior swingman used his strength and athleticism to overpower defenders going to the hoop and was also sharp with his lefty pull-up jumper. (JT)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2813809"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69241e2e00d0a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Haines used his 6-foot-6 frame to wreak havoc defensively, showing excellent timing both on the ball and as a help-side shot blocker. His length and instincts made him one of the toughest players to score on in the gym. (JN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returners</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Branden Bell (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2908703' first='Ezra' last='Wells'] (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Asher Baker (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moses Garcia (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ty Cirino (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hudson Heise (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aiden Dunigan (Class of 2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cooper Larson (Class of 2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2891014' first='Hunter' last='Holestine'] (Class of 2029)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kao Phantern (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tyler Olafson (Class of 2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Departures</strong>: N/A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Additional Contributions by Jackson Naugle &amp; Jed Tai</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->