Coming off a winning record of 14-11 this team is looking hungrier than ever to take home the Sectional title.
With third year coach Keith Witty, the Woodmen are looking better than ever. Together with the key losses of seniors Isaac O’neal who led them in points last year and Ethan King who led them in steals and assists and losing another key player Joey Ortman, in the transfer pool, it is going to be tough filling those spots. But juniors Owen King and Braden Reynolds have both taken big leaps this off-season and are ready to fill those roles.
“Filling the shoes of my brother is definitely going to be hard since he played such a huge role, but playing with these varsity guys over the summer has really built the team chemistry. I think we will be very tough to beat this year,” King said.
Losing senior leadership is tough every year in all sports, but seniors Parker Doolin and Acen Swain have both stepped up in huge ways. Doolin led the team in rebounds last year with 161 total. Swain played sixth man, averaging 9.8 points per game off the bench. He is looking to become the leading scorer this year.
“Becoming a leader for any team is a tough challenge, but I have been looking forward to this my whole life. I have been training and preparing for this moment so I am ready to take it on and do the best I can,” Doolin said.
After beating cross town rivals Center Grove in the first game of the year last year then losing to them in the County championship, the Woodmen are looking to get their revenge when they meet in game one on Nov. 26. That is a date that has been circled on their calendars. Another game circled on the calendar is Roncalli on Jan. 1. after the Woodmen lost a heartbreaker to them 42-44 when Swain’s final shot rolled around the rim.
“I have definitely been looking forward to both of these games ever since that final buzzer went off, especially since I missed that final shot against Roncalli I was devastated. I want revenge more and more every day. This summer I shot that shot again about 500 times maybe, so next time that opportunity comes, I will knock the shot down,” Swain said.
