JOHNSTOWN —
It’s no surprise that Sue Panek’s basketball career has reached the highest level in the women’s game.
Panek has been a winner at each stop along the way. The Lilly native was the star player as a junior on Bishop Carroll’s 1987 PIAA Class A state championship girls basketball team. Panek was part of a University of Maryland program that advanced to four straight NCAA Tournaments, including one Final Four appearance in 1989 and an Elite Eight showing in 1992. During her senior season, the Terrapins were ranked No. 1 nationally for four weeks.
Panek scored 172 points and had 75 rebounds as a freshman on the Terps’ Final Four team in 1989.
Once her playing career concluded, Panek took the next logical step going into coaching, first at the NCAA Division I college level and later in the WNBA.
Panek will be among seven athletes inducted into the Cambria County Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2012 during a banquet at the Pasquerilla Conference Center on July 14.
Her distinguished coaching career includes stops at:
• Florida State University, assistant coach (1993-96).
• University of Maryland, assistant coach (1996-97).
• Charlotte Sting, assistant coach, WNBA (1997-2001).
• Washington Mystics, advanced scout, WNBA (2005-06).
• Atlanta Dream, director of basketball operations, WNBA (2008-present).
Her role as director of basketball operations for the Atlanta Dream includes assisting the general manager in player personnel, scouting of potential prospects, scouting of upcoming opponents and the day-to-day administration of team operations.
Panek also spent seven seasons as head coach of the girls basketball team at Olympic High School in Charlotte, N.C.
Panek currently resides in Atlanta during the WNBA season and in Charlotte during the offseason.
She is the daughter of Joe and Donna Panek.
Sports
Related Photos
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Sue Panek (with ball) was part of a University of Maryland program that advanced to four straight NCAA Tournaments. file photo
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After her playing career, Sue Panek began coaching, including stops in the WNBA. file photo
Discussion
Panek has thrived at every level in women’s hoops
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