The Indian basketball team is still trying to find the right combination after senior post Hunter Weishuhn returned from a knee injury on Dec. 4. With a 6-6 record, it has been trial and error trying to find the right rotation of players on the floor at the same time.
“Early in the season it’s difficult looking for chemistry,” Coach Paul Page said. “It felt like we were beginning to get that, and then Hunter got healthy. We are still searching for the right mix.”
When posts junior Blue Franklin and senior Sam Shirley play together, the team uses single-post/four-perimeter player offense. On the other hand, when Weishuhn and Shirley play together it’s a three perimeter-player/two-post offense.
“It’s a lot different than the beginning of the year,” Franklin said. “Coach said we have started over for the third time now. It makes a big difference that Hunter is here. He’s one of the biggest on the court.”
Weishuhn, last year’s district offensive MVP, was the leading scorer in the Dec. 11 game against Midland Christian with 22 points.
“Basketball is my favorite sport and my life,” Weishuhn said. “While I was sitting out, I wanted to be out there playing. As soon as I got back, it was just great. It’s great to be a part of, and I feel like it’ll be a good year.”
The Indians beat the Mustangs, 67-31, on Tuesday.
“We played really hard, and we set the tempo of the game with our defense,” Page said. “We played really aggressive.”
According to Weishuhn, the team did great.
“We shared the ball, and we played as a team,” Weishuhn said. “We executed a lot better than we have the whole year, and we shot the ball well. Everything was in sync.”
Page said Weishuhn is an important tool to the team.
“Hunter has a great rebounding presence,” Page said. “He had the ability to finish around the basket [against Midland Christian] which was good for us.”
After beating the Fort Stockton Panthers earlier in the season, 65-38, in the Andrews Tournament, the Indians will face them at home tonight.
“We’ve already beaten them by almost 30 at Andrews without their best player which makes a big difference,” Franklin said. “We just have to show up and play.”
Page said after a team beats an opponent once, it must keep centered.
“We know what they do, and we are prepared for them,” Page said. “We beat them last time, so we just need to stay focused.”
The Indians will be without senior guard Juan Mendoza in tonight’s game and possibly without him for two to three weeks after he hyperextended his knee against Midland Christian. Mendoza has a history of knee problems, so the injury was sobering.
“It was scary,” Mendoza said. “I was mad because I thought basketball was over for me, but it’s not season-ending.”
As district looms, the Indians say they will be prepared.
“We should be ready,” Shirley said. “We have been preparing all year [for the first district game.]”
Weishuhn has thought of a strategy to beat Estacado Matadors who are enjoying a four-year undefeated district record.
“I think we will slow the game down to a halfcourt game and dominate,” Weishuhn said. “They are a run-and-gun type of team. If we slow down, the odds are in our favor. This will be the year we beat them, and everyone believes it.”
Page said the Indians have a learning mentality, and they have things to do better.
“The season is going well,” senior wing Noe Molina said. “As long as we keep learning from our mistakes.”
Weishuhn said the season has been like a rollercoaster.
“We started off doing well, but then stuff changed, and you have to start chemistry and style of play over,” Weishuhn said. “I think everything will go uphill from here. I’m ready for district and to keep the undefeated streak going.”