I grew up in Waverly, attended Waverly high, played basketball there and was lucky enough to haved played college basketball. I still continue to watched just about every home game and have for past 20 years.
I have tp say that I'm very excited about this team . Waverly has some very fine ball players, some of the best to come through the school in years. Most nights they are lead by their two starting guards and small forward. They also get strong play from a rotation of players at the power forward position. They are a little smallest and undeveloped at the center position but I think by next year they will show a lot of improvement.
This year they have made some noise and will continue to do so, but next year the triplets as I like to call them, (Justin Vogel, Cody Gilbert and Ben Leonard) will lead this team to a division title. Not to take anything away from the other players because without these guys the triplets could not do what they do, but these 3- players have a mix of talent that screams out championship. These 3 guys look like they been playing together since birth, they know where each other is on the floor at all times, and they play as if their brains are connected. Below is my breakdown of what i see in them.
SF -Justin Vogel = points, can shoot from anywhere on the floor and has never seem a shot he didn't like , he has good ball handling skills and knows how to play the game. He's the youngest of the three but you would never know it.
SG- Ben Leonard, another sharp shooter that we kill you with a 3, or drive the baseline and pull for a 2, Ben also is a great guy with the ball, he makes very few mistakes and you can see he loves the game. He works hard every game and leaves it all on the court. Bens older brother played for Waverly and was a good player himself. Look out JL little bro is making a name for himself.
PG- Cody Gilbert, This is the engine that makes to train go, he is the most unselfish high school player I have seen in a long time. He could lead his team his scoring most nights but prefers to keep his team mates involved with a steady flow of passes that are as sharp and on time as you will ever see from a high school player. His ball handling skills are as good as they come, and his court vision and passing skills are that of a much older player. With all that he still manages to score close to 10 points per night and more when needed.
My only concerned is the coaching staff , thier coach who also attended Waverly High and was a above average player. But there contnues to be unrest in the stands over a rumor that he pulls players out of the game if they get close to tying of breaking one of his scoring records that he holds at the school. From my view I think he has done a ok job with this group, and I think he knows and sees the talent has and will continue to try to get the best out of them each night. I have watched him play and coach, does he have a big ego? YES but I don't think he would cost his team a win just to keep his record alive.
At least I hope not.
