WOODWARD — The Woodward-Granger boys basketball team won 15 games two years ago and 16 last season. While proud of their efforts, the Hawks are determined to reach goals that have eluded them — a WCAC title and a spot in the state tournament.
“Those are very high goals, and we understand that,” W-G head coach Brent Achenbach said. “There are some very good teams in our conference and some that will be improved and the playoffs are never easy. However, I would rather we chase something that we are capable of achieving rather that settle for where we are.”
Achenbach will not lack for experience to send onto the court, as the varsity lineup features nine seniors and five juniors.
The team averaged 64 points per game last winter, shooting a solid 50.3 percent from the floor, a clip that included landing 84-of-265 3-pointers (31.7 percent). The squad had 344 assists and 200 steals against only 225 turnovers and allowed the opposition to score only 51.8 points per outing.
“I feel like the offense is going to put points on the board, so I want us to continue to focus on being tough defensively,” Achenbach said. “I think stopping the other team from doing what they want is more of a demoralizing thing that just shooting well yourself. You have to score to win, but the defense fuels the offense.”
Four seniors return to the to claim starting spots, led by point guard Bryce Achenbach, who averaged 14.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He hit 19-of-67 3-pointers (28 percent) while making 57 steals and distributing 108 assists.
Keith Braunschweig scored 12.7 points and grabbed 5.1 boards per outing while sinking 77-of-94 (82 percent) of his foul shots. Kaya Bowlsby (7.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg) is back as well, as is Reese Jamison (6.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg).
Other seniors returning include Alex Bice (4.1 ppg), Nick Buch (3.1 ppg), Jack Grell (2.2 ppg), Pacey Moats and Matt Hansen, with Dylan Backe, Walker Deputy, Worth Henry, Coby Peters, and Trevor Simmons the quintet of juniors.
W-G opens their season by hosting Martensdale-St. Marys Thursday, with a trip to Panora for the first WCAC games of the season set for Friday. Both are girls/boys sets beginning at 6 p.m.
