WHS boys basketball looks ahead for a successful season
This will be the second season where Coach Schultz is leading the Wolverine boys basketball program. The coaching staff and team are looking to fare better than they did last year when they finished the 2021-2022 season with a 7-16 record. In an interview with Schultz, he is optimistic and excited for the season.
Who are your returning varsity players?
Coach: We have six returning varsity players. Seniors Braden Walker, Michael Youngberg, and Malakye Scott. Juniors Jack Shirts, Carter Jensen, and Braden Phillips. New varsity players are seniors Tommy Johnson and Trae Crockett, and sophomores Kolin Cook and Josh Mizar. We also have a few swing players. Juniors Finn Dolton and Torin Walker. Sophomores Carston Walker and Isia Herrera.
What is the outlook for the season?
Coach: I’m very excited for this season, we have a good balance of veteran varsity players and new varsity players. We have size, speed, and quickness. We have physical post players, we have outside shooting, we have players that can penetrate the paint to score or pass, and we have senior leadership. We have a very tough preseason against some of the top teams in the area, which will help us to prepare to be competitive in conference this season.
What challenges do you have coming up?
Coach: Our biggest challenge will be in how we handle the many distractions that happen during a season, injuries, illnesses, and anything else that will keep us from being focused on reaching our goals this season.
What are the goals of the team? What are the boys looking to accomplish?
Coach: Goals for the season include finishing in the top two in conference and making the State Tournament. We are going to focus on a pressure defense to get into our offense and look to play inside out.
When do you start regular season games?
Coach: We have our first game on Nov. 29 against the defending 2A State Champions Melba Mustangs. They are big, quick, physical athletic team that plays pressure defense that like to run the court and look to score both inside the paint as well as shoot the three. Then over the next couple of weeks we play 2 4A schools as well as 5A Nampa Bulldogs. Then we play in the Parma Holiday Tournament at the end of December This very tough stretch of games will help us to prepare for the always competitive SRV Conference.
What are you doing to get the team ready?
Coach: The last two weeks the guys have been working very hard on their defensive and fundamental skill of basketball.
What does the league look like?
Coach: Homedale will be the team to beat in conference. They return a great senior class that made a deep run into the state tournament. McCall who played in the state championship game last year and Fruitland who made the state tournament have lost a few key players to graduation but always are a threat to compete for the District Championship. Payette returns a good group of senior players who will also compete this year. Parma has a new head coach this season who is working to turn their program around.
What are the greatest strengths of your team?
Coach: The 2022-23 Wolverines are excited to get the season started. We will be a well-balanced team who like to share the ball and will play together as a team. Scoring should be balanced while not relying on any one player to carry the team. Practices have been physical, competitive, and very focused.
The Wolverines played their first game on Tuesday, Nov. 29 against the Melba Mustangs. No scores were available at the time of printing.
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Signal American
18 E. Idaho St.
Weiser, ID 83672
PH: (208) 549-1717
FAX: (208) 549-1718
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