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Rilee Stapleton

Rilee Stapleton, Editor-in-Chief

Senior Rilee Stapleton is a four-year member of The Prowler staff.  He is editor-in-chief and a staff writer.

All content by Rilee Stapleton
Prowler Bracketology

Prowler Bracketology

March 25, 2021
Kobe Bryant, former NBA superstar, and his daughter Gigi were killed along with seven others in helicopter crash this past Sunday. While he gained much recognition for his accomplishments on the court, his impact helped motivate me to become the best version of myself in every aspect of my life.

Not just another athlete

January 29, 2020
Alyssa Angelo played over 300 games for Starr’s Mill throughout her high school career at Starr’s Mill. Whether it was on the softball diamond, basketball court, or lacrosse field, she gave it her all and left a legacy at the Mill. She will continue her athletic career at Winthrop University as a member of the women's lacrosse team.

Putting the ‘star’ in Starr’s Mill

June 9, 2019
Lady Panther lacrosse team raises the championship trophy. Starr’s Mill defeated Blessed Trinity 11-8 to win the GHSA A-AAAAA State Championship, becoming the first team south of I-20 to do so.

Redemption

May 20, 2019
Junior goalie Karlee Jenks surveys the Lady Paladin offense. Jenks acted as a brick wall for Starr’s Mill, only allowing two goals on the night. Her stellar play helped the Lady Panthers make their second consecutive A-AAAAA GHSA State Championship game.

Ready for revenge

May 17, 2019
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

May 14, 2019
Senior Alyssa Angelo battles a pack of Lady Wolves for possession. The Lady Panthers started slow, but they closed the first half on an 8-1 run that carried them to a 21-11 victory. With the win, Starr’s Mill advanced to the Final Four of the GHSA State Playoffs.

Starr’s Mill sends Wolves packing

May 12, 2019
Senior Ansley Wallace chases down a Lady Bear player. Wallace and King combined for 12 goals against Holy Innocents in the Mill’s 19-7 win. Wallace missed last season’s run to the state championship with an injury, but she her impact has been felt for the Lady Panthers this year.

Wallace, King dominate in win over Holy Innocents

May 8, 2019
Junior Garrett Meuninck runs down the field after winning a face-off. Meuninck won 10 of 11 face-offs against Whitewater, contributing to their 11-0 win. The Panthers outscored Whitewater 27-1 in two meeting with the Wildcats this season.

The three amigoals

May 5, 2019
The Lady Panther lacrosse team huddles together after their win over Woodland. The Lady Panthers defeated the Wolfpack 20-1 in the opening round of the state playoffs. Starr’s Mill looks to return to the state championship game after finishing runner-up to Blessed Trinity last year.

Lady Panthers primed for playoff push

May 3, 2019

Coach’s Corner

May 3, 2019
Panther player fends off a Chief defender while looking for a teammate to pass to. The Panthers balanced offensive attack proved to be too much for McIntosh, and the Mill defeated their rival 15-7. The win improved their record to 9-5 on the season. However, they lost the following two games, resulting in a 9-7 regular season record.

Strong second half sends Panthers home victorious

April 30, 2019
Liza Eubanks

Liza Eubanks

April 26, 2019
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

April 18, 2019
Senior Panther Jacob Zellen defends junior War Eagle James Mayfield. Mayfield scored four times against the Mill and led Woodward to their 10th win of the season. The War Eagles are now 3-0 in the area and have clinched a No. 1 seed in the state tournament.

Missed opportunities kill Panther comeback

April 15, 2019
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

April 12, 2019
Luke Phillips

Luke Phillips

April 7, 2019

Coach’s Corner

March 27, 2019
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

March 21, 2019
Junior Ryanne King sprints past Gladiator defenders. King did all she could for the Mill, scoring six of their nine goals. She has played a huge role in the offense’s 102 goals scored this year.

Gladiators win duel in Panther Stadium

March 19, 2019

Coach’s Corner

March 13, 2019
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

March 7, 2019
Juniors Jamaine Mann and Alice Anne Hudson. Mann and Hudson each led their respective teams this year at Starr’s Mill. Mann led the boys team with averages of 17.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Hudson led the girls’ squad with 15.8 points and 2.8 steals per game.

Highway to hoops heaven

February 28, 2019
Brad Keselowski flies an American flag following his second career win in Atlanta. Keselowski spent most of the race shifting positions throughout the top-10, but his mistake-free driving allowed him to take the lead for the final 33 laps of the race.

Keselowski captures the flag

February 24, 2019
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series cars ined up on pit road prior to qualifying for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500.

From the Panther Pit(box)

February 24, 2019
Harrison Burton (No. 18) in his 17th career start, trails seasoned NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series drivers Johnny Sauter (No. 13) and Matt Crafton (No. 88). Young drivers like Burton are finding ways to move up the respect ladder in the eyes of the more experienced drivers.

Qualifying for respect

February 23, 2019
Christopher Bell, in the No. 20 Rheem Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, won the Rinnai 250 race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Bell led for 142 of 163 laps en route to his first win of the 2019 season.

Paved by the Bell

February 23, 2019
Weather has been the main question leading up to NASCAR’s tripleheader this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. After sunshine and great temperatures on Friday, persistent moisture has teams searching for a break in the weather to allow for Saturday’s on-track activities.

For truck’s sake!

February 23, 2019
Ray Black Jr., driver of the No. 07 S.S. Green Light Racing Chevrolet, drives into the garages after one of Friday’s practices. In this special edition episode of “From the Panther Pit,” Editor-in-Chief Rilee Stapleton and Sports Editor Jenna Sanders talk about Friday’s events and preview Saturday’s action from around the track.

From the Panther Pit(box)

February 23, 2019
Aric Almirola, driver of the No. 10 Smithfield Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing, won the pole with a time of 30.550 seconds. He lead a pack of Fords that crowded the top five spots, with Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 FedEx Ground Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing being the only non-Ford top-five finisher.

Built Ford fast

February 22, 2019
Justin Haley, driver of the No. 11 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevy for Kaulig Racing, finished with a time of 31.184 seconds and a top speed of 177.783 mph. Haley led a group of Chevrolet drivers that dominated the standings in the NXS practices. In both practices, Chevy boasted nine top-15 finishers.

Chevy heavy

February 22, 2019
Cole Custer, driver of the No. 00 Jacob Companies Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing, finished first in the first NASCAR Xfinity Series practice with a top speed of 178.218 mph, good enough for a time of 31.108 seconds. No manufacturer dominated the top five, but Chevy had nine drivers finish in the top 15.

Custer tops balanced top five in first NXS practice

February 22, 2019
Junior Jamaine Mann makes the game-winning layup against Statesboro. The shot lifted Starr’s Mill over the Blue Devils 48-47. Mann finished with 19 points and four rebounds.

Mama, there goes that Mann!

February 18, 2019
Junior Alice Anne Hudson high fives her teammates after their win over Ware County. Hudson scored 23 points and snagged seven steals in the 58-44 win. This is only the second time in school history a girls’ basketball team has advanced to the second round of the state playoffs.

Hudson’s hot hand helps Lady Panthers advance

February 17, 2019

Coach’s Corner

February 14, 2019
Griffin player passes to a teammate. Griffin defeated Starr’s Mill 50-43 in the Region 3-AAAAA tournament championship. The win avenged their last-second loss to the Lady Panthers in the semifinals of last year’s tournament.

Bears bounce back one year later

February 10, 2019
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

February 8, 2019
Senior Nate Allison tosses the ball in the air. Allison, who was recently named to the Region 3-AAAAA All-Region second team, finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds in the Mill’s 45-41 win over Griffin.

Allison’s double-double carries Panthers past Griffin

February 7, 2019
Senior Nate Allison celebrates with teammates during their matchup with Griffin. Allison passed the 1,000 career point mark against the Bears, doing so on senior night and his birthday. Allison finished the game with 11 points and five rebounds.

Senior night + 1K = happy birthday

February 3, 2019
Junior Alice Anne Hudson scans the court for an open teammate. Hudson, a first team All-Region selection, senior Alyssa Angelo, and Region 3-AAAAA freshman of the year Jaclyn Hester have helped rebuild a girls’ basketball program that missed the state playoffs just two years ago.

Rebuild complete

February 3, 2019

Coach’s Corner

February 1, 2019

From the Mill to Minnesota

January 25, 2019
From the Panther Pit - Special Edition

From the Panther Pit – Special Edition

January 14, 2019
Junior Panther Reese Clevinger sizes up a Fayette County defender. After going 4-1 over the holiday break, Starr’s Mill returned to region action against the Tigers. Fayette County, one of the top teams in the state, pulled away late for a 57-46 win over the Mill.

Following a successful break, Starr’s Mill falls to second ranked Fayette County

January 11, 2019
Atlanta Hawks guard Tyler Dorsey defends Miami Heat guard Justise Winslow. Dorsey was scoreless against Miami, but he put up two assists and a steal. Winslow totaled 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists in the 106-82 loss to Atlanta.

Heat lose focus in third loss to Atlanta

January 9, 2019
Rookie guard Trae Young shoots a floater against the Miami Heat. Young is leading Atlanta through their rebuild, as they prepare for a future that could be brighter than most think.

Wait until these Hawks leave the nest

January 8, 2019
Senior Shelby Foster pulls the flags off of junior Miyah Hunter. The class of 2019 played the class of 2020 in the Starr’s Mill Powderpuff game for Promise Place. The game raised over $2000 for Promise Place.

Goal-line stand secures slim victory for seniors

December 18, 2018
Junior guard Darryl Rice being guarded by junior Cardinal Jared Rogers. The duo of senior Nate Allison and junior Jamaine Mann combined for 30 points against Jonesboro, but it wasn’t enough as the Cardinals won 58-55.

Jonesboro takes lead late, hangs on for 58-55 win

December 15, 2018
Freshman Jaclyn Hester fights for the ball against Jonesboro. Hester finished the game with 10 rebounds, and she made a clutch shot to send the game to overtime. In the extra period, the Lady Panthers pulled out a 54-51 win to improve to 3-0 in the region.

Lady Panthers pull out crucial overtime win

December 15, 2018
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

December 13, 2018
Senior Panther Julian Lynch defends senior Chief Bruce Carpenter. Carpenter, who scored 22 points, dueled with the talented Panther duo of senior Nate Allison and junior Jamaine Mann who combined for 38 points and 19 rebounds. Carpenter’s spectacular performance wasn’t enough, however, as Starr’s Mill claimed a 69-49 Battle of the Bubble victory.

Third quarter, Panther quarter

December 6, 2018

Coach’s Corner – Dec. 5, 2018

December 5, 2018
Junior Panther Jamaine Mann defends senior Patriot T.J. Bickerstaff. Mann, ranked 97th in the nation in the class of 2020 according to 247sports.com, scored 25 points while going head-to-head with Bickerstaff, who is a Drexel commit and nephew of NBA head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

Talented recruits battle in overtime thriller

December 3, 2018
Freshman Panther Jaclyn Hester fights for possession. Hester scored 13 points and junior Alice Anne Hudson added 16, but the Lady Panthers still fell to Sandy Creek 48-45.

Lady Panthers late comeback attempt falls short

December 2, 2018
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

November 29, 2018
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

November 15, 2018

[VIDEO] Coach’s Corner – Nov. 14, 2018

November 15, 2018
Senior quarterback Deyandre Ruffin reaches for a first down while being tackled by junior Panther Ardit Hoti. Ruffin totaled 190 total yards between the air and the ground, leading the Phoenix to an upset of Starr’s Mill 21-10.

Costly turnovers create first round upset

November 14, 2018
The Starr’s Mill cross country team huddles before the Meet of Champions. The team was invited to the meet one week after winning the GHSA State Championship.

No rest for the champs

November 11, 2018
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

November 8, 2018
The Panthers hold up their region championship trophy. Starr’s Mill defeated Fayette County 27-0 to cap off a 6-0 region record and win their third straight region title.

Panther defense shuts out Tigers, team clinches region perfection

November 5, 2018
Junior Jaxon Via leaps at junior Raider Chris Giles. The Panther defense allowed over 300 yards, but forced four turnovers and limited Riverdale to 22 points.

Panther backfield bludgeons Raiders, clinches region championship

October 30, 2018
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

October 25, 2018
Group of students poses with the pride, transgender, bisexual, and pansexual flags to demonstrate support for all forms of love and acceptance at Starr’s Mill. The message that needs to be sent from this is that love in any form is not hate, and having a romantic or sexual preference does not make one a transphobe.

OPINION: Love is love

October 22, 2018
The Lady Panthers celebrate a home run from sophomore Jolie Lester. The home run was one of many runs scored in the Mill’s 10-1 win over Wayne County.

Lady Panthers advance with 10-1 victory over Wayne County

October 17, 2018
Sophomore Cole Bishop brings down senior Dane Kinamon. The Panther defense held McIntosh to 225 total yards, while Mill’s the offense accumulated 336 yards. Junior running back Kalen Sims rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown, increasing his season totals to 1,239 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Panthers dominate Chiefs in ‘Battle of the Bubble’ classic

October 15, 2018
Senior Alyssa Angelo and sophomore Lauren Flanders celebrate during the Lady Panthers’ 8-3 win the first game of the series. Senior Kate Ashmore and freshman Lilli Backes each recorded three RBIs in the Mill’s win over Wayne County.

Wayne County’s walk-off win forces game three

October 15, 2018
Michael Lantz

Michael Lantz

October 5, 2018
Whitewater Lady Wildcats celebrate a home run during a win over the Mill. The Whitewater Lady Wildcats defeated the Starr’s Mill Lady Panthers 7-6 and 6-5 to win the Region 3- AAAAA championship.

Panther unbeaten streak ends, Wildcats steal region crown

October 4, 2018
Junior Jeff Tiller raises up junior Kalen Sims as the two celebrate a touchdown. Sims rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns against the Bears. He now has 842 yards and nine touchdowns on the season.

Sims, Panthers keep rolling region opponents

October 1, 2018
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

September 27, 2018
Junior running back Kalen Sims weaves through the Jonesboro defense. Sims contributed to an offense that put up 462 yards against the Cardinals. The junior was responsible for 97 of the team’s 411 rushing yards.

Panthers open region play in blowout fashion

September 23, 2018
Junior running back Kalen Sims fights through Northgate defenders. Sims has already racked up 600 yards this season and has carried the Starr’s Mill offense through their first four games.

‘Real season’ begins with region play

September 21, 2018
Freshman Sidney Blair runs to second against Whitewater. Starr’s Mill continued their region dominance against the Wildcats, defeating them 7-3.

Starr’s Mill tops Whitewater, continues to dominate region play

September 20, 2018
Junior quarterback Matthew Williams runs past senior safety Sean King. The Sandy Creek offense dominated, accumulating 555 total yards against Starr’s Mill.

Patriots crush Panthers, Mill’s losing streak extends to three

September 17, 2018
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

September 13, 2018
Senior Chapel Hill quarterback KJ Burton breaks off a tackle attempt from senior Grayson Faircloth. Chapel Hill rushed for 428 yards and six touchdowns against Starr’s Mill. Four different Chapel Hill players ran for a touchdown.

Chapel Hill uses big second half to power past Starr’s Mill

September 10, 2018
Northgate defender drags down junior running back Kalen Sims. Sims rushed for 148 yards and three touchdowns against the Vikings, but it wasn’t enough as the Panthers fell 31-29.

Northgate erases 13-point deficit, tops Starr’s Mill 31-29

September 6, 2018
Varsity girls’ cross county team poses for a picture after the Providence Invitational. The varsity boys and girls finished third overall, and the JV boys finished fifth overall.

Panthers place third at Providence Invitational

August 31, 2018
Junior quarterback Hunter Lawson races past the Bulldog defense. Lawson collected 129 of the Panthers 465 rushing yards against Mt. Zion, including two late touchdowns.

Sims shines, Panthers run over Mt. Zion in season opener

August 27, 2018
Tessa Laney

Tessa Laney

August 24, 2018
From the Panther Pit - Season 4, Episode 1

From the Panther Pit – Season 4, Episode 1

August 16, 2018
Junior Paige Andrews races to first base while Sophomore Chief Rebecca Muh attempts to throw her out. Muh and freshman Lady Panther Lilli Backes battled on the mound, but the Starr’s Mill offense came through in the 3-0 win.

Lady Panthers continue hot start with win over McIntosh

August 15, 2018
Senior Cavalier linebacker Qua Hines brings down junior Panther running back Ardit Hoti. Callaway bested Starr’s Mill in Friday night’s scrimmage 26-6, but the Panthers are still ready for another region championship run. “We didn't really gameplan for [Callaway],” junior quarterback Hunter Lawson said. “It didn’t end in our favor but we got better from it.”

Panthers out to prove they can three-peat as region champions

August 14, 2018
Editor-in-Chief Rilee Stapleton (left) interviews head basketball coach Charlemagne Gibbons (middle) and transfer Jamaine Mann (right). Mann, a 6’5” junior, previously played for Eagles Landing Christian Academy. The forward averaged 10.6 points and 7.8 rebounds as a sophomore last year.

Panther hoops land talented transfer

August 9, 2018
Atlanta Dream forward Damiris Dantas defends Connecticut Sun guard Alex Bentley. The Dream’s dominant defense forced 20 turnovers and rejected seven shots in their win over Connecticut. After trailing by 13 at one point in the third quarter, Atlanta used a 17-0 run to defeat the Sun 75-70.

Dominant defense, awful offense

June 23, 2018
The Lady Panthers walk off the field following their 15-7 loss to Blessed Trinity. The Lady Titans won their third straight state championship by beating Starr’s Mill, who was playing in their first ever championship game.

Remarkable lacrosse season comes to a close

May 21, 2018
From the Panther Pit - Season 3, Episode 13

From the Panther Pit – Season 3, Episode 13

May 18, 2018
Panther player and coach celebrate their Final Four victory over Westminster. By defeating the Lady Wildcats, Starr’s Mill advanced to their first ever state championship game. They will take on Blessed Trinity, the winner of the past two state championships.

Sweet Carolines propel Lady Panthers to first state championship

May 18, 2018
Titan defender checks a Panther Player. The Titans physical defense wore down the high powered Starr’s Mill offense. Despite averaging 17 goals per game, Blessed Trinity held the Panthers to a season-low six goals.

Playoff plague continues for Panther lacrosse

May 15, 2018
Senior Caroline Broderick fends off a Wesleyan defender. The Lady Panthers advanced to the Final Four of the state tournament where they’ll play Westminster. The Wildcats eliminated Starr’s Mill in the Final Four two years ago, but the Lady Panthers are seeking revenge.

Lady Panther lacrosse builds on historic year

May 15, 2018
New boys’ basketball coach Charlemagne Gibbons meets juniors Nick Weist and Nate Allison during a conference with school staff, students, players, and parents. Gibbons joins the Starr’s Mill family after his previous tenure as an assistant coach at Florida Atlantic University.

Boys’ basketball introduces new head coach

May 4, 2018
From the Panther Pit - Season 3, Episode 12

From the Panther Pit – Season 3, Episode 12

May 3, 2018

[VIDEO] Coach’s Corner – May 2, 2018

May 2, 2018
Sophomore Chief Brooks Baro shoots at junior Panther goalie Derek Saylor. Baro scored four goals against Starr’s Mill, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Panther offense that averages over 17 goals per game.

King reigns supreme, Panthers sack Chiefs

April 30, 2018
From the Panther Pit - Season 3, Episode 11

From the Panther Pit – Season 3, Episode 11

April 19, 2018
The Lady Panthers discuss their loss with the coaches after the game. Their 10-9 loss to West Forsyth was the team’s first loss of the season.

Late-game rally comes up short

March 19, 2018
From the Panther Pit - Season 3, Episode 9

From the Panther Pit – Season 3, Episode 9

March 18, 2018
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