By Chris Parker
Willow Springs finished 9-17 in the first season under new head coach Dustin Forrest. The Bears will look to improve that win total this year with a more experienced team returning.
“Really the overall age of our team is the biggest difference (this season),” Forrest said. “Last year, we at times struggled to score outside of a couple guys so we tried to slow things down and get the ball inside. This year we will have to crank up the tempo some and have quite a few guys with the ability to put the ball in the hole.”
Sophomore Kolby James had one of the best freshman seasons in the area averaging 17 points per game on his way to second-team all-conference honors. He also had 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals per game.
“Kolby James was our best player last year as a freshman,” Forrest said. “Kolby is one of the best guards in the area. He can be a one-man press breaker and very hard to keep from the basket. Also saw him take strides this summer and preseason in leadership and look for him to really be the facilitator for us on the floor.”
Jace Rodgers returns for his senior year after earning honorable mention all-conference honors as a junior. He averaged 10.5 points per game to go with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
“We are really looking for Jace to take on a leadership role for us this season,” Forrest said. “He has worked hard this summer getting stronger and feel like this will help increase production on the offensive end. Also, he will continue to be one of our strongest defenders, finding himself guarding the other team’s best guy most nights.”
Aiden Stuart will see more varsity action in his senior season.
“Aiden is a senior guard that started for us some last year and should find himself in a more permanent position for us this year,” Forrest said. “He does a good job of handling the ball and being a good defender for us.”
Braxton Wilbanks brings size in his junior season.
“Braxton played a lot of minutes for us last year and started part time,” Forrest said. “He has a ton of potential at 6’4 and plays above the rim. Being one of our few guys with height, we will lean on him heavy for rebounding and protecting the paint.”
Senior guard Jordan Rutledge should also work his way into more minutes.
“Jordan did a great job showing us this summer that he will have a role on our team this year,” Forrest said. “He is a strong kid that works hard on defense and rebounds the ball well.”
Seniors Montana Coats and Jordan Rutledge will look to make an impact in their final seasons in Willow Springs uniforms.
Forrest on Coats: “Montana is another senior who does a really good job of shooting the three.”
Forrest on Rutledge: “Jordan another one of our few seniors, is a hard worker and is willing to do whatever to get on the floor. He really proved to me this summer that he can guard and do a good job of rebounding. He understands his role and will be a big part of our team this year.”
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Freshmen Brady James, Brody Thompson and Blayne Altermatt will all look to make immediate varsity impacts.
Forrest on Brady James: “Brady is a freshman that could see himself in the varsity mix right away. There isn’t a kid that spends more time in the gym than Brady, and I hope that pays off for him this season. He really shoots the ball well and I hope that skill set will help spread the floor out for us come season.”
Forrest on Thompson: “Brody had a really good summer for us and could also end up playing a lot of varsity minutes for us. Brody is a hard worker and does a really good job of running the floor and rebounding the basketball.”
Forrest on Altermatt: “Blayne is another freshman that I believe will make an impact on our varsity team at some point. Blayne consistently proved all summer that he can score. I’m impressed by his confidence and excited to see him grow throughout the year.”
Willow Springs opens the season on Nov. 21 at home against Seymour.
“I think that this team has a chance to be very successful,” Forrest said. “I’m looking for some guys to step up and lead for us, and I’m already seeing that some during our preseason. If we learn to play together, I think that the wins will take care of themselves.”
