The Indians will take on Andrews tonight after the 80-50 win over Fort Stockton on Tuesday, which brought their record to 1-0 in district and 13-7 overall.
“District is going to be very competitive,” Coach Paul Page said. “Andrews will be tough, and Greenwood should be good.”
Senior point guard Jarod Adams was high scorer in the game against the Panthers with 26 including five three-pointers. Junior post Hunter Weishuhn added 21 points.
“Overall in district we are going to try to keep our winning streak from the past three years,” Weishuhn said. “We want to be the district champions and go deep into the playoffs.”
Senior post Rance Layton said the game against Andrews will be important.
“We are going to have to not think that we are better than [Andrews],” Layton said. “We need to play our hardest, and we need to play on our level not their level.”
Andrews is 1-1 in district and 16-10 overall.
“We need to execute against their zone defense,” Page said. “We also need to rebound well, and we need to limit the turnovers in the half court.”
Weishuhn said the Indians have an advantage over Andrews.
“Our advantage is our half-court offense,” Weishuhn said. “We need to execute our offense, set up our half-court offense and just do what we do.”
Tonight’s game presents challenges.
“Sophomore Shane Dolenger will be their toughest player,” Layton said. “He is really athletic and plays hard.”
According to MaxxPreps.com, Dolenger averaged 13.7 points per game last year, for 247 points on the season. He also averaged 4.8 rebounds per game. The all-district player outscored all others on the Andrews squad.
“Dolenger can dribble, shoot well, and he’s just a pretty good player all around,” Weishuhn said. “But he can be stopped.”
Greenwood beat Andrews, 45-43, on Jan. 13.
“I think the toughest team will be Greenwood,” Layton said. “They are out to get us like Andrews. They think they have a good shot this season, and I have heard really good things about them.”
The Indians have both strong points and shortcomings.
“Our strength is our size,” Page said. “We are healthy now and a lot bigger than most of the teams in district. Our weakness would be decision making.”
Weishuhn gave credit to other position players.
“Our strengths are our guards,” Weishuhn said. “Also our transition, fast break layups and dominating half-court offense. Our weakness is getting in too much of a hurry and causing turnovers.”
Page said the Indians are ready for more t district play.
“We are excited about district,” Page said. “We are going to try to defend our district championship.”