Texan basketball stomps Salado

Varsity boys basketball met numerous goals last week when the Salado Eagles came to the Texan Gym.

Wimberley High School basketball coach Mike Whitten’s team played press defense, hard charging fast break offense, relying on contributions from each player without becoming overly dependent on any one player for scoring or defensive output. This is a system team with the hallmarks of an all-in attitude.

“When we get the ball, we really try to push it down the floor and go attack them before their defense can get back and get set. Their original plan was to run a three-two zone against us,” Coach Mike Whitten explained. “But we were playing so fast, they really could never get back and set it up. That's good when you can eliminate their game plan and make them play a certain way. I thought our guys did a really good job of forcing them to play our style of basketball tonight.”

One of Whitten’s goals for his team is to push the offense to score 20 points per quarter. They succeeded this past week by posting 93 overall. Miles Schleder scored 35 with Ethan Sharp (16), Colin Fisher-Swan (14) and Luke Watts (13) also in double digits. Watts led the Texans with six assists. Thomas Watson and Schleder each had five. The Texans had nine offensive rebounds, led by Schleder with three and followed by Sharp and Gavin Olmer with two each. Schleder also hit an offensive milestone by scoring the 1,000th point of his high school career.

Whitten praised Sharp’s effort coming off the bench, recognizing his contribution.

“He knows the game really well,” Whitten said. “He's as deadly from the perimeter as Miles if he's on. He's hitting shots and his defense has come along big time. He's turning the corner in his first year of varsity experience and was a huge help tonight.” “Coach told me I was best at hitting those floaters and spotting up and shooting those threes so I really focus on that. He also told me to look down low for the post and feed them if I’m not open,” Sharp shared. “This is my first year on varsity and there have been multiple times that I've missed a shot and they're like, ‘Hey, keep shooting. You're good.’ They encourage me and back each other up.”

Defensively, the Texans collected 17 rebounds. Fisher-Swan had five, while Olmer pulled down four, followed by Sharp’s three. Schleder had five steals and Thomas Watson picked up four. The Texans amassed four blocks with three attributed to Watson and the other by Fisher Swan. Schleder deflected six passes and Watson defended four. Though leading by nearly 40 at one point, the Texans allowed Salado to score 73 points to finish out the win with a margin of 20.

“I thought we were really scrappy on defense tonight. We made the right rotations and limited their second chance points. When they got possessions, I thought we blocked out and rebounded well,” commented Whitten.

“It's amazing to be a part of a team where we’ve got so many guys contributing,” said Fisher-Swan. “Everyone wants everyone else to score and nobody really cares who scores most. We just want to make sure we're winning.”

Coach Whitten appreciates the unity of his team and the way they interact on and off the court. “I don't know what it is, but the kids just have pride in what they do,” he explained. “These guys love being around each other. They love being at practice. When you have a bond off the court, it just bleeds onto the court, there’s no doubt about it.”

The Texans begin district play on Tuesday, Dec. 20, in Bandara. A week later, Texan athletics will host HoopFest at the gyms on Wimberley High and Danforth Junior High campuses. Thirty-two teams have been invited to participate in the event on Dec. 28–30. HoopFest serves as a fundraiser for the teams, and parents and community members are encouraged to volunteer. “Job selection is on a first come, first served appointment so give us a call quickly. We promise to take care of meals during your time with us and you’ll see great competition on the court,” Whitten said.

Those wishing to volunteer can email Coach Mike Whitten michael. whitten@wimberleyisd. net, Coach Caleb Hall caleb. hall@wimberleyisd. net or athletic secretary Addie Neil [email protected].

“We need people to keep the clock and help with the books. If anybody wants to come out and donate their time, we'd welcome that. You got a game starting about every hour on the hour for three days straight for like 200 games. It’s crazy,” said Whitten.