The Mail-Journal, Volume 17, Number 6, Milford, Kosciusko County, 27 February 1980 — Page 26

It's been a 'learning year 1 at Wawasee

By DEB FOX It’s been one of gratification,” commented Mike Jones, basketball coach for the Wawasee Warriors, about this past year. “They are a great group to work with and show a lot of character.” For the Warriors, this past basketball season has been disappointing and Coach Jones stated the team has not won as many as he felt they should have. “There are areas where we’re weak and have not been able to change those weaknesses or compensate for them. We knew the first of the season this would be a learning year. ” Even though the team has won only one third of their games so far, the boys have never given up. One of the bright spots this year for Jones is the willingness of the kids to come back out and put out 100 per cent after disappointing losses. “I believe they have never gotten down on themselves after losing. I have not witnessed this of the kids.” The Warriors are very competitive and their losses have never been due to the lack of effort. The team is fairly quick, has good outside shooters and its members are unselfish. “They are willing to give up a pass and they have an ability to always come back.” However, with every strength there are weaknesses. For the Warriors those weaknesses are lack of board strength and poor rebounding. He also included their passing ability, “they have passes stolen, but it is mainly because they are passing the ball off time, a little behind in getting it to the man at the right time for a basket.” Besides the attitude of the starting players is the attitude of the kids on the bench. “It’s a plus factor, they don’t complain, they encourage the other players. We’re a winner in a lot of ways. They are quality kids and there’s very little discipline problem.” Top Players There are three players for the Warriors that Coach Jones believes were the top players during the past season. Bart Bowser, a senior and the only returning letterman, is a player to be contended with. Ac-

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cording to Coach Jones “He’s a t super kid to work with and he has i the willingness to go to the board, s He’ll do anything to improve himself.” t A good outside player and “a pleasant surprise” for Coach Jones is Tom Troup, a junior. Another bright spot is Jeff Long, a sophomore, who has an average of plus 20 and is 13 points higher than any other team member in the plus and minus area, set up by the coaching staff to provide incentives for the team. “We’ve got two more years to look forward to,” commented Jones about Long. The top point scorers for Wawasee would be Bowser and Troup with 16-17 points a game. Jones stated the defense in the last part of the season tended to stop Bowser and Troup. “We have not been able to score on the inside.” With the sectional starting March 5, Coach Jones is hoping Troup will be in shape to play. Troup has been out with stretched tendons in his foot for the last several games. Sectional Contenders Who does Coach Jones beMeve will come out on top? “Warsaw is in the driver’s seat. They have h WARRIOR COACHES — The coaches this year at Wawasee High School are Gary Baker, assistant coach and Mike Jones, > head coach. This is Jones* second year at Wawasee. (Photo by Deb Fox)

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had a good season and have the ingredients. They’ve proven consistant all year.” Close behind the Tigers are the Rochester Zebras who have a

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good inside game and a fair outsidegame. Coach Jones also said Tippecanoe Valley has been consistant all year. The dark horses for the sec-

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tional, according to Jones, would be Wawasee and the host Triton. He stated both teams have a losing record and are inconsistant.