WOODWARD — The Woodward-Granger boys cagers would dearly love to begin the 2017 portion of their schedule the way the 2016 began, rather than the manner in which the ’16 campaign stopped for the holidays.
W-G started the campaign 3-1 before stumbling to a 1-4 mark down the stretch to enter the extended break 4-5 overall and 2-5 in West Central Conference play. The four wins match the combined victory total of the previous two seasons for the Hawks, making it hard for most observers to feel too bad for head coach Brent Achenbach or his greatly improved squad.
The Hawks have a penchant for the dramatic — at least in victory — as the team has two one-point and a four-point win. A 17-point win at Saydel has created a 5.75 point margin of victory, diametrically opposed to the average margin of defeat (21.2) in their five losses.
W-G is shooting 38.2 percent from the field and 57.2 percent at the foul line. The team is 44-of-146 (30.1 percent) on 3-pointers.
The Hawks have amassed 107 assists and 78 steals against 128 turnovers while blocking 15 shots and collecting 213 rebounds, a clip of 23.7 caroms per game, a rate the squad will need to increase if they intend to continue their solid season.
Senior Marcus McConahay averages 12.6 points per game. He has 35 rebounds, 55 assists and 38 steals, with freshman Bryce Achenbach scoring 10.6 points per outing while snaring 36 rebounds.
Senior Brady Aunspach (7.8 ppg) and freshman Reese Jamison (6.9 ppg, 49 rebounds, 13 steals) are also among the statistical leaders for the Hawks.
W-G hosts Earlham Jan. 3 before visiting AC/GC Jan. 6 and West Central Valley Jan. 10. A home date with Des Moines Christian Jan. 13 will conclude the first two weeks of action in 2017. All four dates are girl/boy contests beginning at 6 p.m. and all are WCC games.
