By Dana Harding
Heading into his 16th season, Verona head coach Brad Stewart has high expectations and a higher class to contend with.
A year removed from a team forced to field an entirely new lineup, referring to last season’s Wildcat squad as inexperienced would be an understatement.
Verona started three freshmen and two seniors on a team that finished 12-15, losing in the district tournament’s second round to Class 1 state-runner up Walnut Grove.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE WINTER SPORTS PREVIEWS
“We had a team that was replacing all five starters and our sixth man from a year ago,” Stewart said. “Overall I felt like we played well but, at times, our youth and inexperienced showed.”
While the Wildcats new rotation took its lumps at times, Stewart began seeing noticeable improvement and resilience from his team as the season progressed.
“The most impressive thing I saw was when we played four games in five days,” Stewart said. “We lost the first three, including a buzzer beater, and bounced back the next night and won an overtime road game.”
Verona lost five seniors to graduation, including Spencer Shue, Ismael Soto, Jonathon Tarkington, Jose Charqueno and Parker Mathews.
“Spencer was one of our top 3-point shooters,” Stewart said. “Ismail was our best penetrator on offense and a tough defender.”
Despite the departures, Stewart returns a host of players with valuable experience at the varsity level, led by a trio of sophomore starters.
All-district guard Kolton Pinkly (14 ppg), all-conference forward Caleb Hillhouse (10 ppg) and all-conference honorable mention Eddie Gutierrez (11 ppg) return a healthy portion of Verona’s scoring punch from last season.
The varsity adjustment wasn’t easy for Verona’s talented underclassmen.
“The three did have to adjust to not always being the best athletes/players on the court,” Stewart said. “Also, to not always winning as they had in junior high. This year they are assuming a greater leadership role and really beginning to understand the work it takes to succeed at the varsity level”
Top newcomers for the Wildcats include junior Dominic Fernandez and sophomore Anthony Martinez. Both players add quickness, shooting and defense to the team.
In addition, Stewart will rely on seniors Eduardo Salas and Witt Bobski for leadership and post play.
Verona also moves up to Class 2 this season and will contend with a brand new group of district foes, including Crane, School of the Ozarks, Marionville, Blue Eye, Galena, Billings and Miller.
Stewart feels a beefed-up schedule will help prepare the Wildcats for postseason success at both the conference and district level.
“We have toughened up our schedule this year with games versus Walnut Grove, Greenfield and Wheatland, in addition to our normal strong schedule.”
Verona hosts Billings, Dadeville and Everton for a Nov. 15 jamboree. The Wildcats open regular season play at Walnut Grove on Nov. 22.
