By GREG KEIM
One year ago, the Wawasee High School boys basketball team unveiled its faster style of play during a 111-105 loss to Fairfield.
The Warriors were slated to open the 2009-10 season by visiting Fairfield next Tuesday, but that contest has been postponed to Feb. 20 due to the Falcons playing in last Friday’s football regional.
Wawasee will now begin its season on Saturday, Nov. 28 with a home game against Angola.
“We are going to be playing the same style this season,” Wawasee coach Phil Mishler said. “This is the second of a three-year plan.”
Mishler begins his 10th season at the school with a 119-82 career record.
The offense revolves around an upbeat tempo featuring plenty of long-range jump shots. Last season, the Warriors were 221-of-773 from 3-point range (28.6 percent).
“This year we are not going to be able to sneak up on anyone,” Mishler said. “However, we should be more proficient at running the offense.
“One of the goals is to try and get 100 possessions per game. We felt if we made 15 3-pointers we had a good chance to win and, to do that, we had to put up about 45 per game.”
Seven letterwinners from a 7-14 squad are back for this season.
“Because of the pace we play we try not to have anyone on the floor for longer than a minute and a half,” Mishler said. “To play this style you have got to give the players rest. Shooting the long ball requires strong legs and in order for the players to have strong legs you have to sit them down.”
The only senior — 5-10 Keegan Beer — is also among letterwinners. He scored 175 points last season.
“Keegan will be the glue which keeps the rest of the guys together,” Mishler said.
Junior letterwinners are 6-4 Riley Stichter (240 points), 5-9 Trevor McKibben (205), 5-11 Chad Schrock (114), 6-0 Logan Hatfield (111) and 5-6 Cody Blunk (15).
Five-eleven sophomore Jake Clark (18) is another returning veteran.
“One of the benefits of playing this style is losing players to graduation or injury doesn’t effect you as much,” the coach added. “When you are playing eight to nine guys on a consistent basis, they get used to the level of varsity play.”
Losses to graduation were Wes Kaiser (316 points), Grant Ruch (211), Ross Stichter (96) and Dylan Ringler (84).
Stichter, listed at 6-1 last season, is one of the keys for the Warriors.
“He is a multifaceted kid,” Mishler said. “He can shoot and will be our go-to guy. How he goes will determine how this team starts.”
McKibben, who dished out a team-high 84 assists last season, is another key.
“He is the point guard and it all starts with him,” the coach said. “He is a lot smarter and stronger with the ball.”
Wawasee allowed an average of 86 points per game a year ago.
“We gave up a lot of points, but some of that was due to rebounding,” Mishler said. “We allowed teams to get a lot of offensive rebounds, which led to second shots. Rebounding has been a point of emphasis in practice and we hope that will stabilize our defense while still allowing us to play our game.”
Other juniors on the roster are 6-5 Cody McBride and 6-1 Luke Thompson. More sophomores are 5-10 Justin Fick, 5-9 Trent Koble, 6-1 Zac Patrick and 6-2 Bauer Schmeltz.
“Playing time is still wide open,” the coach said. “The first few games we could go 14 deep. We have depth and all of the guys are pretty even when it comes to talent.”
Jacob Thompson is a 6-3 freshman.
“He is a player who fits right into our style and could be a contributor right away,” Mishler said. “He has the strength and skills to play at the varsity level.”
