In The Wake Of Glory

WAITSBURG - Due to one of the best football seasons many people in this town have ever seen, the WP boys have started their basketball season off later than planned. Monday was only their fifth practice, and they play their first game of the season Tuesday, Dec.14, against Weston-McEwen. "Starting the season off late will be a small challenge, but I believe that with our coaching staff, we should not have a problem," said Cardi­nal Eshom Estes. And coming hot off the field, from a nearly unparal­leled winning streak in foot­ball, the boys may have a real advantage. Head coach TJ Scott said being more competitive will help the boys catch up. After a few more practices and the first few games, they will catch up and be back on schedule."

All but two on the basket­ball varsity squad have just returned from state playoffs.

"Winning is contagious," Scott said. "We're learning how to win and what it's like and getting used to it. The football season was one of the best things that could have happened for the bas­ketball team." Like other coaches in the valley, Scott is a bit ruffledby district changes in bas­ketball

playoff protocol. Only eight teams, rather than the usual 16, will go to state. That makes for much tighter competition.

"State's going to be hard­er to reach this year," he said. "Our main challenge will be to work together. There are a lot of new faces this year, not as many re­turning varsity players as I had hoped for." Dayton Bulldogs, Asotin Panthers and Liberty Chris­tian Patriots are going to be WP's biggest competitors this season, Scott says.

Estes feels the same. Liberty Christian has al­ways been a good challenge for us," he said. And WP isn't the only team in the league blessed with a large number of re­turning varsity players. "Dayton and Asotin has most of their team back this year," said Scott. "You never know with WAVA, Desales and Tri-Cities prep. They're young teams."

Estes, a 17-year-old ju­nior, has been playing bas­ketball on the team for the last three years.

"All we have to do is practice every day, harder and harder, until we become state champions," he said. With every ounce of heart and sweat, I know we can get there." Many of the others on the team feel the same. "Our biggest challenge will be becoming a team and trying to accomplish more than we did last year," said Dalton Estes. "We need to become a team by work­ing together like brothers. The only way we will suc­ceed is by depending on each other." Returning lettermen of the season are: Dustin Wooderchak (5'11") starting point guard Zach Bartlow (6'1") starting guard Kris Cady (6') starting all-forward

And Guillermo Hernan­dez (6'3") center TJ Hofer (5'11") will be a starting guard; Justin Zuger (5'10"), point guard; Tre Brannock (6'), guard; Matt Hamilton (6'4"), starting center; David Brock (6'), guard/all-forward; Austin Beasley (6'3"), center; and Tyler Baxter (6'3"), for­ward/ center. JV players Dalton and Eshom Estes along with Seth Deal will be trying to move up into varsity, Scott said. The entire team just needs to keep improving as individuals and as a group, their coach said. "They just need to get their basketball legs under them and start adjusting to the game." The varsity boys play their first game on Tuesday, Dec. 14, at home.

WP Cardinals

Boys Varsity

Dustin Wooderchak

TJ Hofer

Justin Zuger

Zach Bartlow

Kris Cady

Tre Brannock

Matt Hamilton

David Brock

Austin Beasley

Tyler Baxter

Guillermo Hernandez

Head Coach: TJ Scott

Assistant Coaches:

John Mason, Jay Potts