The Lady Leopards will be playing against a familiar face tonight in their home opener against Prosper as coach Erin MacClanahan will be returning to the Leopard gym for the first time as the Prosper head coach.

Coach Ryan Mitchell is excited about the game against his former assistant.

“I am excited to see Erin here back at Lovejoy for tonight’s game,” Mitchell said. “I am sure she has mixed emotions about coming back to a place that was great for her and at the same time wanting to beat us. When the first whistle blows though, I forget about all that and it’s time to try and win a ball game.”

Like Mitchell, Mac is also excited to be back at her previous home.

“I’m excited to go back to Lovejoy,” Mac said. “It will be a great homecoming, sort to speak, and a little emotional, but I’m excited to show Lovejoy how much Prosper has improved since we last competed against one another. I will always be grateful for my three years at Lovejoy, but I’m proud to wear the green and white.”

The Leopards are used to facing Prosper as they were both previously 3A schools and made the jump to 4A at the same time.

The Lady Leopards are excited to see their old coach and to be playing their home opener.

“I’m really excited for our first game and it’s even more exciting playing against Coach Mac. We all want to come out strong and pull out a solid first win and protect our home court,” senior Molly Lacey said.

“I am proud of Erin and happy she has found such a great place to work,” Mitchell said. “I hope she gets lots of wins, just not against Lovejoy.”

The game is tonight at 6 p.m. and fans are encouraged to wear purple in support of a fundraiser for Alzheimer’s.