Balance is always important when talking about building a successful basketball team.

Panther Valley girls basketball coach William “Dapper” Lynn feels that this season’s Panthers basketball squad is probably the most balanced team he’s had since taking over the program in 2015-16.

The Panthers have depended heavily on junior Erika Dubosky (20.33 points per game a year ago) to carry the scoring the load over the past two seasons.

“With the way things are looking, I think we can get three players in double figures,” Lynn said. “Erika certainly has the ability to score around the 20-point range again, and I think we have two other girls in Megan Pascoe and freshman Sera Robin who can reach double figures as well.

“I really like our balance, and I think we’re going to have more shooters on the floor than we’ve had in the past.”

For the Panthers to improve in the win column, Pascoe and newcomer Robin will need to perform as expected. Pascoe put together a nice junior campaign, averaging 8.14 points per game and leading the team with 35 three-pointers. Robin, a talented frosh who has been working hard on the AAU circuit in the offseason, will be coming in to play the point guard position, moving Pascoe over to her more natural position at shooting guard.

“Sera can play. She can handle the ball, she can shoot, she has nice dribble drive moves,” said Lynn. “You can already see how much more confident and comfortable Megan is at playing the two (position). We can move her around more, she can spot up easier, she’s really looked good playing the two for us, and I think that’s going to open some things up for us.”

In addition to Dubosky, Pascoe and Robin, the Panthers varsity roster includes Gianna Steber, Riley Wehr, Brynn Jones, Hailey Shreffler, River Knoblauch and Abby Vermillion. Natalie White will also see time once she returns from an injury in January.

Balance will certainly be the focus of this season’s Panther Valley team, but there is no denying the Panthers go as far as Dubosky takes them. The junior has amassed 714 points in two seasons. After enjoying a solid freshman season when she averaged over 13 points a game, Dubosky took her game to the next level a year ago. The Panther junior, who can play almost every spot on the floor, came through with 25 three-pointers last season, and has a career average of 77 percent from the charity stripe. Dubosky’s inside skills are equally as impressive as her perimeter game. Proof of that can be found in her 279 career free throw attempts, and her 217 career points from the free throw line alone.

“You’re going to see an even stronger Erika Dubosky this season,” Lynn said. “She’s physically just stronger, and she’s stronger around the rim. When you’re going up against (assistant coach) Trish O’Gurek every day at practice, you’re going to get stronger.

“We’re going to start her in the post more this season because we feel good about our guards, and then when she has the opportunity to run that’s what we want to do. We’re going to try and run whenever we can.”