Key seniors lead Waverly's run
As the Waverly Wolverines look to clinch their second title at Newark Valley today they can look back and thank two key seniors for their success the past two years.
Forward Ryan Hewitt and point guard Nick Zwierlein have been stalwarts for the Wolverines.
"No one thought we would be nearly as good as last year," Hewitt remarked. "We're proving them wrong every game we play."
Last year they had solid senior leadership to lead them to an overall IAC title.
"We had Tim (Rote) and Shawn (Johnson)," explained Hewitt. "Chris (Jenkins) would come in and give us strong minutes off the bench."
"We miss a lot of those guys," Zwierlein added. "Like Tim Rote inside, he's a big loss."
This year they knew they would have to look to first year varsity players to fill some of those roles.
"They wouldn't know how they would react," Hewitt said. "They definitely stepped up."
"Evan (Van de Wall) is starting to play better," explained Zwierlein. "Chris Raupers is starting to pick up his game, so we have an inside presence now which helps us out."
Hewitt is not surprised, though.
"We're playing just as well as I expected us to," he said. "They're giving us just as good as minutes."
Hewitt also believes that last year's experience has helped them excel this season.
"Last year was all new to me," he explained. "This year I know what exactly is at stake because we were there last year. I was lucky enough to win the division two years in a row and possibly win the IAC two years in a row."
Looking ahead, the Wolverines would like to get further in Sectional play this year. Class B is just as tough, if not tougher, than last year with Norwich, Oneonta and Susquehanna Valley all fielding talented teams.
But they believe they're just as talented, despite the losses from last year.
"This team talent wise is just as skilled if not better," Zwierlein said comparing last year's group to this year's. "We've got a good shot at it. They're doubters but last year we had a good run."
They believe their offense will help carry them this time around.
"We have a lot of talent offensively," Hewitt explained. "We pride ourselves on our defense. The young kids have bought into the fact that defense truly wins championships but I think we have more offensive skills than we did last year and I think we have a good shot."
The senior forward is the lynch pin to his team's offensive success, averaging 20 points a game this season.
But it's not about stats for Hewitt.
"I just go out there every night to put up as many points as possible to come out with a W," said Hewitt. "If I score 20 points, if I score two points, it really doesn't matter to me."
One thing's not in doubt is that the two have enjoyed playing with each other.
"Nick is a great point guard," raved Hewitt. "Coach (Lou Judson) said he might very well be one of the greatest guards in school history. I completely agree."
The star forward likes his teammates versatility.
"He can go left, he can go right," Hewitt remarked. "He has such an arsenal of moves when he penetrates. He can score at will or he can dish to somebody. He's such a good point guard."
Zwierlein feels the same way about Hewitt.
"He's real good," Zwierlein said. "I like passing him the ball because he gets me some assists, which is good."
He likes Hewitt's crunch time ability.
"I know if we get in some tough situations we can get him the ball and he'll find a way to get it in the hope," Zwierlein remarked. "It's real fun playing with him."
Now the two of them will be on a different, an area all-star called Stars and Stripes. Waverly players have been overlooked the past few years but success draws attention and that's something these have had.
"That's a real honor," Zwierlein said about being on the team. "It's a real honor to be recognized with those guys."
The team is picked from the Elmira-Binghamton basketball teams.
"It's an honor to be with all the best kids from the area," Hewitt exclaimed. "It's a huge honor. I'm just trying to do what I can to make sure we win but if I put up good enough numbers to make these teams it's a huge honor."
For these two this type of honor is a long time coming.
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