By Chris Parker
Norwood boys basketball finished 10-15 overall last year, but the foundation for a bright future was laid down by the play of freshman Garrett Davault. Davault was one of the area’s top freshmen averaging 22.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.
“Garrett can shoot the ball, but that is from hours and hours in the gym. He is a gym rat. We ran a lot of our offense through him, and looked for him to score for us so he got lots of looks and our team last year realized that,” Norwood head coach Shane Chadwell said. “His maturity. He has grown and developed some muscle. He is able to get to the rim easier and needs to, as he needs to shoot more free throws this year.”
Junior Jalen Drake and sophomore Jacob Sinning both return to the varsity lineup.
Drake averaged 4.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game as a sophomore.
“He handles the ball and has a high IQ for the game. He isn’t the biggest nor the most athletic but he gets guys where they need to be and knows the game,” Chadwell said.
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Sinning started almost every game last year and averaged 9.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game from his position in the post.
Seniors Gavin Dunn and Devin Wright along with junior Josh Bradshaw are all upperclassmen that could contribute on the varsity level. Sophomores Max McGowan and Justin Chadwell along with freshmen Gavin McGraw and Stone Sawyers are some young players expected to contribute on varsity.
Chadwell will have a deep stable of scorers to lean on this year.
“Having multiple guys that can put the ball in the hole for us (will be a strength). We are deeper than we have ever been, possibly eight or nine guys deep. They know they need to work hard and bring it daily or someone will be taking their spot,” Chadwell said.
Norwood opens the season on Nov. 22 at home against Sparta.
