Cougars Make Positive Steps During Season

When Christian Palmer was hired as the new varsity boys basketball coach at Piedmont Academy, he knew there was plenty of work to do.

The Cougars had fallen on very tough times but Palmer knew the only way to build a winner was through hard work and dedication. The first steps toward that plan were put into place for the 2024-25 season and there was clear improvement.

Even as Piedmont fell in the opening round of the region tournament 68-61 to Mount de Sales last week, thoughts were immediately on the future.

“While the season didn’t end the way we wanted it to, I am extremely proud of this team and the steps forward we took as a program,” Palmer said. “I am thankful for our three seniors we had this year. Chase Taylor, Owen Piedra and Ethan Barman will be missed and we appreciate everything they did for Piedmont basketball.”

In the region tournament against the Cavaliers, Corbett Crews scored a game-high 29 points going 15-of-18 from the free throw line.

Taylor added 14 points, including two 3-pointers, and Camden Moss finished with 11 points.

Barman and Piedra both finished with two points.

“I enjoyed coaching this team through the highs and lows of the season,” Palmer said. “We focused on process over outcome all season long and kept getting better and better as the season went along. Palmer said the future is bright for the program.”

“I believe we have a great group of guys coming back next season who have bought into working to continue to build the program in the right direction,” the coach said.