After a heartbreaking ending for the Derby girls basketball team, the journey to get back to where they once were starts Friday.

The Panthers’ season was cut short, just one game away from the state championship game, in March due to Covid-19. 

“I think we are all just happy that we can finally play again. We still have that state game in the back of our minds, but we’re just going to use it as motivation to get back to that stage again this year,” sophomore Addy Brown said. 

Friday they play host to the Wichita Northwest Grizzlies. No fans are allowed. 

The Panthers return another outstanding team with a lot of experience, including seniors Jaidyn Schomp, Derryana Cobbins, junior Tatum Boettjer and sophomores Maryn Archer and Brown.