Chapel Hill's boys basketball team carries high expectations into the 2025-26 season.
The Panthers have reached the region championship game and the state playoffs in each of the past six consecutive years.
"At this point, it is a program expectation," head coach Michael Artis said.
Chapel Hill returns four seniors: forward Chol Shannon, guard Donovan Petidos, forward Joseph Taylor and center Jamir Denson Jr. Key newcomers include seniors Ethan Minor, a guard, and Trent Dean, a forward.
Artis said the Panthers will rely on a balanced offensive approach this season.
"There won't be one person that will be our leading scorer every game, or even take the most shots from game to game," he said. "Our versatility and ball movement will determine who is the beneficiary on the offensive end."
Defense, Artis added, will need to be the team's most consistent strength.
"We don't have the same length that we've had over the past few years, which means we need to be scrappy and disruptive on the defensive end to take our opposition out of their comfort zone," he said.