This Paradise Panthers Sports Minute is brought to you by Lowery Metals
Paradise athletics is searching for a new boys basketball coach following the departure of Bo Rickner.
Rickner was hired Monday as the new head boys basketball coach at Graford. His departure comes shortly after Paradise captured the Class 3A Division II state championship in March. The Panthers finished the season 37-2 after also reaching the state title game in 2025. Rickner spent four seasons leading the program. Paradise athletic director Tommy Koch is currently interviewing finalists for the position.
Meanwhile, Paradise baseball has advanced to the Class 3A Division II Region II semifinals and will face Hooks in a best-of-three series in Bonham. Games 1 and 2 are scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, with a potential Game 3 set for 2 p.m. Saturday. The Panthers enter the series with a 29-3 record after sweeping Paris Chisum in the area round last week.
Paradise will also be represented at the UIL Class 3A state track and field meet Thursday in Austin at Mike A. Myers Stadium. The Panthers qualified the boys 4×100 and 4×200 relay teams, while Ady Stoltz will compete in the girls 400 meters.