Nearing the end of a district season in basketball can become a grind. Playing out the string for playoff position, the varsity Wimberley High School Texans team works to stay focused, solidify their seeding and build momentum heading into the postseason.
Head coach Mike Whitten, coaches Cade Pharis and Greg Dydalowics hopped on the bus headed to Canyon Lake High School last Tuesday, Feb. 7 to finish out the season series with the Hawks. The Texans took care of the Hawks in mid-January by 16 but recognized the danger of a rivalry game late in the season.
“Canyon Lake’s 1-11 district record this year is misleading. They’ve played tough in many district games this season, losing in overtime or by a single point in three or four of them,” said Whitten. “We can’t take them lightly or look past them. Our guys need to stay focused and play our game our way to keep building for the playoffs.”
The Texans came out flat, falling by eight early in the first quarter before getting their wits together to bring the game back to a tie. The Hawks led at the end of the first 12-11.
“I’ve got to give Cayden Heatley a nod for his first quarter. He scored 5 of our 11 and kept us in the game early at a time we were struggling with fouls. He came in and put up a big defensive effort,” noted Whitten.
The team picked up their offensive intensity in the second quarter but remained somewhat lackadaisical on the defensive end, allowing the Hawks 17 points. The Texans scored 18 in the period behind a five point effort from Miles Schleder with four each coming from Nate Brooks and Cody Stoever, tying the halftime score at 29-29.
“They came out and weren’t doing what they were supposed to do, playing the way we play. Our discussion at halftime was more of a ‘chewing’ but they responded really well,” shared Whitten. “They made in-game adjustments instead of waiting until the next day to figure it out in practice. I’m really proud of them. Doing that mid-game shows focus and maturity.”
The Texans put up a determined second half effort which included allowing the Hawks only 18 in the last two quarters while posting 39 points. Schleder produced five points in the first half — all in the second quarter — but adapted and overcame in the second half with 18. He finished with 23 points including five three-pointers to total 138 for the season. Schleder ranks third in the nation in three-pointers made.
Whitten attributed the work of the second half to all-around effort and dynamic team play.
“I think we settled down in the second half,” he explained. “I thought Colin Fisher-Swan had a huge half — not necessarily scoring but just rebounding. On the defensive end, he was grabbing everything around him. Thomas Watson was big in the second half, hitting timely shots and taking pressure away from the inside.”
“They (Canyon Lake) ran full court pressure the whole game, and Luke Watts, coming back from illness, did a really good job,” he continued. “He didn’t look slowed at all, distributing the ball and getting a lot of guys involved. Cade Stover provided some good minutes at the point, taking some pressure off of Luke. Nate (Brooks) did what he does defensively, causing a lot of problems — especially in the second half.”
The Texans finished the game 68-47 before traveling to Fredericksburg High School on Friday, Feb. 10.
Stats from Friday’s game tell the story. Former Texan coach Jeff McDormand used to quip, “Win every quarter and you’ll win every game.” The Texans took Coach Whitten’s strategy of playing stingy press defense and pushing the ball up the court with speed against the Billies and won every quarter.
The Texans took a 28-9 lead in the first and stretched it by halftime to 43-23. Strong defense led by steals from Schleder (6,) Watson (2,) and Hennessee (2) combined with defensive rebounding from Fisher-Swan (4,) Schleder (4,) Watson (3,) and Drew Brasher (3) shuttered the Billie offensive efforts. On the offensive end, Dane Hennessee grabbed nine boards while Watts tossed in three assists.
The Billies’ 6’10” post Daniel Schultz finished with 17, eight points better than his output in Texan gym back in mid-January. Fredericksburg could muster only 53 points on their home court for the night as the Texan defense held.
For their part, the Texans again posted over 80 points against Fredericksburg, finishing with 81. Schleder totaled 22 — including six three-pointers — with Hennessee backing it up with 19, and Watts hitting double-digits with 12. Hennessee ended the match up with a double- double, securing 10 rebounds.
The Texans closed out district play at home Tuesday, Feb. 14 versus the Davenport High School Wolves on Senior Night/Parent Recognition Night. Their next game will be a first round playoff contest against the loser of Tuesday night’s district showdown between the Cuero Gobblers and the Young Men’s Leadership Academy’s Lions in San Antonio.
PHOTO BY JOE SMITH.
