By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – Pelham High School basketball kicked off the 2025-26 season in festive fashion as the Panthers hosted their first-ever Panther Madness Trick or Treat on Monday, Oct. 27, combining the program’s annual basketball showcase with a community Halloween celebration.

From 5:30 to 8 p.m., the Pelham gym was packed with families, students and young fans who filled the stands and lined up to collect candy from booths hosted by Pelham High School clubs and sponsors. The event offered both a preview of the upcoming basketball season and a chance for the community to celebrate the Pelham Way with a night of hoops, candy and school spirit.

“The first Panther Madness Trick or Treat was a huge success,” said Will Gilmer, history teacher, assistant boys basketball coach and director of basketball operations at Pelham High School. “The gym was filled from 5:30-8:00 with kids and fans alike trick-or-treating and watching our basketball teams give a preview for the upcoming season.”

Gilmer said the turnout exceeded expectations, with families and students crowding the gym throughout the night.

“We had a great turnout,” he said. “The stands were filled from the beginning of the event and by the time it was over, there was standing room only. Students and families all seemed to enjoy the event.”

The atmosphere, Gilmer said, captured everything the basketball program and school hoped to create—a fun, family-friendly night that connected younger kids with Pelham’s student-athletes.

“The energy was amazing,” he said. “It was awesome to see the young kids in the community get excited watching the older kids make shots, get blocks and, their favorite by far, the dunks.”

Both the boys and girls basketball programs participated in open practices, scrimmages and fan contests, offering a glimpse of the teams’ preparation since summer workouts.

“This is an event that our athletes look forward to every year,” Gilmer said. “They always want to be able to show off their skills and show the community what they’ve been working on since June.”

The event also highlighted the involvement of several student organizations and local sponsors who joined in the Halloween fun. Clubs such as HOSA, Robotics, Key Club, Pelham United, SGA and Pelham Ambassadors hosted creative trick-or-treat booths and games, while sponsors including Milo’s, AmFirst, Kia Riverchase and Taco Mac joined the festivities.

“HOSA had an obstacle course, Robotics had a robot to hand out candy, Key Club had face painting and tattoos and Pelham United had cornhole,” Gilmer said. “A few of our corporate sponsors came as well, and everything went great.”

For Gilmer, the collaboration reflected the “family culture” that defines Pelham City Schools.

“We saw clubs who came together in an event that they really didn’t have to, but they wanted to,” he said. “Pelham is a special place where everyone puts the kids first and we all support each other.”

Gilmer said the success of the inaugural event has already inspired plans to make Panther Madness Trick or Treat an annual tradition.

“We definitely want to do that,” he said. “We are already trying to come up with ideas for next season to make it bigger and better. If you are a business or even an individual who would like to sponsor a booth for next year, please feel free to reach out.”

As the basketball season tips off, Gilmer said the goal remains simple—build excitement, community and a sense of tradition around Pelham Basketball.

“We want to give young Panthers something to look forward to so that when they get into high school, they are able to give back to the next generation of Pelham Panthers,” he said.