Waverly Basketball Prepares For A New Season
Connor Strange
Staff Writer
The Waverly boys basketball team is gearing up for another season faced with challenges made by a large cast of senior players graduating last year.
There were many keystone members of the team that left, including the likes of Sam Tewes and Erik Evans. That means the team is younger than before, and quite a lot smaller too.
Losing leaders is an annual occurrence, but senior Kaden Schopp thinks his team is prepared to take on that challenge.
“We’re tinier in the lineup, but I think we can definitely hold our own,” Schopp said.
Height is another detrimental factor to the future performance of Waverly basketball. The team is lacking in big and bulky players, which the players and coaches will need to compensate for.
“This year's team will be a totally different type team,” head coach Mark Watton said. “We lost most of our size and the guys who had played for two or three years. We will be a quicker and deeper team than a year ago. We lost five of our top six players to graduation, so these younger players will need to learn what it takes to play at this level.”
This season may be more difficult with the recent changes to the depth chart, but the team will continue to improve.
“I think we’re going to get better every game. With the new lineup there will be some bumps in the road, but I think we’re going to have a successful season,” assistant coach Sean Forbes said.
Practices, as always, are taking a toll on the players as they compete for higher placement on the team.
“Our practices are tough,” senior Dylan Janecek said. “We’re trying to determine who’s going to be starting. Right now it’s pretty even ground.”
After practice becomes routine and the teammates find their place, games are another matter.
“The Waverly community was fantastic last season and I hope they continue to come to as many games as possible and really support our guys as they play each game,” Watton said. “I know these players will want to continue our winning ways from last season and will show great sportsmanship as they battle each and every game.”
Even though Waverly basketball lost a lot of big and dynamic players, they will keep vying for victory throughout the upcoming season.
“We’re going to try hard all game long, every game,” senior Ross Sheridan said. “No matter the score, we’re going to compete the entire time.”
