As a first-year head coach, Brad Sander admitted he didn't know what to expect when he took over Woodmore's boys basketball program this season.

He did, however, quickly realize one thing: the Wildcats' success this season was going to depend on how quickly his cast of five sophomores matured on the floor.

“They were going to have to learn on the job,” Sander said.

Sander inherited a team that graduated seven seniors after winning four games a year ago (1-11 SLL). Heading into Thursday's game at Otsego, Woodmore had a 7-5 overall record and improved to 4-2 in the SLL with last week's 51-49 road upset of league favorite Elmwood.

“Coming in, myself and my jayvee coach (Brett Mitchell) were brand new to the program and we weren't familiar with the kids, so we watched film of last year's team,” Sander said. “We're playing sophomores who are getting significant minutes, and I have three seniors and one junior. I didn't know exactly what to expect.”

Woodmore guard Grant Weirich. (Photo by Dean Utendorf/woodmorephotos.com)

Sander said senior co-captains Grant Weirich and Bryan Kuhlman have stepped up and done a terrific job of bringing the sophomores along and instilling confidence. That confidence, the coach said, has slowly blossomed throughout the season.

The Wildcats' other senior, Zak Avers, has also provided a spark.

“Zak is a role player,” Sander said, “but he's one of those guys who will do things that don't show up in the box score.”

Woodmore's signature win came last Tuesday at Elmwood, which entered the game with a 5-0 mark in the SLL. The 'Cats won the game on Weirich's eight-foot floater with 2.1 seconds left.

“These kids have not experienced a lot of success, so a win like that over a good team is a huge confidence builder,” Sander said. “We had been playing pretty well up to that point. That win was huge not only from a confidence standpoint, but it was good to see the kids get some good from the work they've been putting in.”

Sander added that one of the keys to the Wildcats' success – they have won six of their last seven – is the players learning to play together.

“They've got it figured out a little bit,” Sander said. “Our key is always going to be our defense. We spend more time on defensive drills and rebounding than we do anything else. We're coming in to do a job and to work hard and shut teams down.”

Woodmore, which is allowing less than 50 points a game, has already beaten Otsego by two points, held off a strong effort by Gibsonburg by hitting some late free throws, and beat host Genoa for the first time in five years.

Donny Bowen, a 6-foot-2 sophomore post, leads the 'Cats in scoring (15 ppg.) and rebounding (9.5 rpg.).

“He has a tremendous work ethic, a great attitude and he's an extremely competitive kid,” Sander said. “He does everything you ask and he does it well. He understands the areas he needs to improve in and he puts in the time to work on it.”

Weirich is second on the team in scoring (14 ppg.) and adds five rebounds a game.

“He's a great shooter,” Sander said. “He has great range and he also has a good mid-range game. He can hit the pull-up 15-footer off the dribble and he's great without the ball. We set a lot of screens for him and he's good at reading those screens and moving without the ball.”

Kuhlman, who suffered a broken nose in the season opener, is averaging seven points a game but has scored in double figures in five straight games.

“He got off to a slow start, but he's provided a huge boost for us,” Sander said. “He leads the team in charges taken and he will do anything you ask him to do.”

Junior Jon Sandwisch, who quarterbacked the Wildcats' football team, also averages seven points a game.

“He's a good athlete who could score more for us,” Sander said. “He's played all five positions for us this year. We always ask him to guard the other team's best player. He's an extremely competitive player and he hates to lose. He's a good guy to have on your side.”

The rest of the roster includes sophomores Cody Clair, Andy Shrewsbury, Jake Lewandowski and 6-7 Harrison Wooten.

Sander said the Wildcats are starting to believe they have a shot to grab their first SLL championship in six years.

“The kids are aware of the situation they've put themselves in,” Sander said. “If we can find a way to win our next six league games, we can cut down the nets and be SLL champions. They are focused and they realize the opportunity they have. It's a huge credit to them that they've put themselves in this situation.”

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