As the basketball season begins, the Wildcats boys team experiences new challenges while having a new head coach, Matthew Brownsberger.
Brownsberger has coached a total of 26 years but this is his first returning year since 2007. He coached at Warsaw from the 2003-2007 school years. In Brownsberger’s previous years, he won a district championship during the 2004-2005 season. The boys are 1-4 as of now. They suffered their most recent losses against the Lincoln Cardinals on Dec. 6, losing 48-19, and the Buffalo Bison on Dec. 9, 38-58.
The boys have had to make certain changes and adjustments throughout the years while having new coaches.
“The biggest challenge for me is the change of pace and learning new plays,” senior forward Tayten Boyer said.
“The most challenging thing I would say would be learning a new system and getting adjusted to what the new coach appreciates in a player,” sophomore guard Shane Poyser said.
One of the biggest challenges that Brownsberger has to face this year is having to overcome the ways the team has struggled in previous years. He is hoping to overcome this challenge by teaching the boys how to be successful, have true sportsmanship, and gain the love of basketball.
“I enjoy the process of helping the boys get better every day, while comparing each day to the last and getting better,” Brownsberger said.
“What I like about having a new coach is that he is understanding about the players and he knows how to get you prepared for a game. He’s a great guy to have as my senior coach,” senior small forward George Montez said.
While the team has to face new challenges with having a new coach, they also get to enjoy the new change.
“Coach B works us hard so we get to have fun playing during the games and he creates a great atmosphere,” Boyer said.
“Change of scenery, and it’s a different environment before games,” Poyser said.
Brownsberger is hoping for a successful season and being able to see the boys grow as athletes and people.