Winamac had its best team in five years last season and returns a lot back.
The Warriors went 15-9, their best season since they won 18 games in 2018-19. They finished second behind only Triton in the HNAC.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThey return four starters for coach Mike Springer, who enters his third year at the helm. They do have to replace starting point guard Brendan Hines, who averaged 11 ppg and shot 40% from 3-point range.
But they return first-team All-Loganland selection Will Malchow, a 6-foot-2 senior who averaged 13 points and 5 rebounds a year ago.
“He’s worked on his game and tried to improve every aspect he can,” Springer said. “He’s just done a really good job and is a good leader for us as well. He’s a very ultra competitive young man.”
The Warriors also return All-Loganland second teamer Justin Potthoff, who averaged 10 ppg. He’s a 6-foot-3 senior.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“He’s gonna run some point guard for us,” Springer said. “He’s probably grown an inch since last year. He just is a kid that loves to play basketball and works on his game. And we’re hoping for him to step up and just take us to another level. Those kids have started for a couple of years now and they’re gonna be seniors this year and they’ll be ready to go.”
The Warriors have two more returning starters, 6-1 senior Ethan Burgess (6.3 ppg) and 6-1 junior Jaybin Hines (6.8 ppg).
“They’re kids that started last year for us and they’re capable of doing some things offensively and defensively that I think will surprise some people, but at the same time they are kids that want to do well and compete and play hard,” Springer said. “We’ve got four kids returning there that will provide us with good leadership and good consistency every day.”
Other players in the mix for a starting role include 6-1 senior Parker Zeider and 5-10 junior Sean Stark.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Parker Zeider is a 6-1 athlete who is able to shoot the ball pretty well from the 3-point line,” Springer said. “Sean Stark was one of our leading scorers on the JV team a year ago. He’s provided us with some really good ball handling and defense from a guard perspective. They’re two guys who are kind of fighting it out for a fifth and sixth starters to see who’s gonna start there for us.”
Other players in the mix for varsity time are 6-3 sophomore post Evan Burgess, 6-7 senior post Johnathan Kletz, 5-11 sophomore guard Kannon Hoover, 6-4 sophomore post Hank Haschel and 6-foot sophomore wing Hutch Martin.
“We have 11 kids that’ll be able to contribute on the varsity level throughout the season,” Springer said.
The Warriors are looking to contend for the HNAC title this year. Defending champion Triton as well as North Judson, Caston and Pioneer will also be in the mix, Springer said.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Warriors will compete at the Class 2A LaVille Sectional in March. Bremen might be the team to beat along with Jimtown. Springer looks for his team to be in the mix as well.
“We think we can win our sectional and that’s a goal that’s important to us as well,” he said. “Our kids are excited to play this year. We had a good summer and hopefully we get off to a good start against an always good Twin Lakes team and take it a game at a time, a day at a time. But the boys are excited about the possibilities of what we can do this year.”
The Warriors host Twin Lakes on Tuesday to open the season.
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