The WHS boys basketball team won districts this year. Something that hasn’t been done in 20 years.
“It was a really good feeling and bonding with the fans and teammates was neat and something you’ll remember. Also, kind of shocking because how we were playing other years,” senior Garrett Ferguson said.
This year, the boys went 17-10. For the ‘23-’24 season the boys went 5-19 and the ‘22-’23 season they won a total of one game. To say that the boys improved is an understatement.
“I think we went beyond expectations and I feel great about it,” senior Judah Newell said.
Many players set goals for the season and feel they met them.
“My goal for the team was for our record to be above .500,” senior Shane Poyser said.
“A team goal that I had was to bring home some hardware for that trophy case,” senior Logan Gemes said.
Having high expectations from a coach will lead players to hold higher standards in themselves.
“Our expectations are to always improve daily and play our best basketball at the end of the season,” Head Coach Matthew Brownsberger said.
Many players recognize where they made mistakes or where they could have improved.
“I feel like I played my role, however I can always do something better, and I feel like my communication wasn’t always there,” Ferguson said.
“I thought I did a decent job but I could have been better as a senior in a leadership role,” Poyser said.
The WHS boys basketball team had five seniors so they had a big leadership role that had to be shared amongst many.
“I felt like I did a good job at encouraging certain players and staying positive but I think I let too much go in practice,” Games said.
“I feel the seniors did amazing leading the team this year,” junior Brennen Slavens said.
“The seniors were critical in our team’s success this year,” Brownsberger said.
“I feel the seniors lead the team by pushing us to do our best day in and day out, whether it was after a win or a loss,” junior Ryan Fajen said.
After playing their last year at WHS the seniors want to leave a piece of advice with their fellow teammates.
“A piece of advice I would give to the underclassmen is to keep your head, you will get frustrated at times but it’s not worth overreacting and being taken out,” Poyser said.
“I would say to learn how to move onto the next play and don’t dwell on the bad play that just happened and move onto the next play,” Gemes said.
“My piece of advice for the underclassmen is shots shots shots, practice more game-like,” Ferguson said.