Times Observer file photo: Cody Elms Sheffield senior Ryden Waterson added movement to the Canes defenders last season.
Sheffield head coach Jordan Copley will focus on performance and high-performance basketball as the Wolverines look to open the 2023 basketball season by hosting the annual Sports Boosters Tip-Off Tournament tonight. Entering the season.
“Basketball basics and smart basketball” Copley talked about what he expects from his team to achieve early success. “We execute, we understand what’s going on and we’re on the same page.”
The Wolverines enter this season without several key players from last year, including big man Lowe’s Connor Finch. Along with Finch, the Wolverines also graduated Lucas McNeil, Mason Silvis and Gage Mott-McCullash. Despite the experience, Copley is confident Sheffield will find a way to win.
“It’s business as usual.” said Copley. “We’re going to continue to play the same type of ball that we’ve been playing the last three years. Obviously it hurts to lose some of the key seniors from last year. We always lose guys who have put in the time. , they’re going to the gym and working on everything like they always have.”
Senior Dylan Hardwick has received praise for his leadership during football, and Copley has seen the same traits from his transition from the gridiron to the basketball court.
“He has the perfect voice when you want someone to be honest with you.” said Copley.
“As a new senior, I know I have a tremendous amount of work to fill.” said Hardwick. “I played multiple sports with Lucas (McNeil), Connor (Finch), Gage (Mott McAlush) and Mason (Silvis). The main thing heading into the season is we want to prove people wrong. The players we lost left a big hole and that’s when the naysayers came in and did their best and we Leihden Worson, myself, and a few others have stepped into big leadership roles for our team. We’re a young team with only two seniors, so it’s going to give us the benefit of the doubt. Our group knows how important it is to be leaders in developing these young players. The coaches will give their 100% as always and work with us day in and day out. I’ve been practicing. I just want to translate it this year and give D9 an impact.”
Watterson, a third-year student, has also assumed a leadership role in Sheffield, taking advantage of the void left by the graduating seniors.
“I think Leiden will hang up all his gloves this year.” said Copley. “Obviously, there were times when it was easier to hold off because we had the supporting cast we had last year. I think Ryden is a great basketball player with the ability to do just about anything you need to do on the court. ”
Watterson is also ready to step into a role he hasn’t filled before.
“As a junior, I played well enough on the varsity last year that I know I have to be a leader on the team this year.” Wartleson said. “It’s hard to lose so many players who have contributed so much to this team, but there’s nothing we can do about it. We’ll move on from there and figure out what we have to do this year. We need to think about it. Guys like myself and Dylan have stepped up a little bit more as leaders on the team, but we think everyone on the team is a leader. Everyone on the team is able to coach and help each other. We can do that and that’s going to help us throughout the season.”
Alex Richards is the only other senior for the Wolverines, and Watterson is joined by juniors Colby Barr, Andy Kyler, Andrew Howden and Aiden Chignon.
Sophomores include Austin Ficus, Jack Chapman, Amond Bowman and Allen Eaton. Rounding out the roster are freshmen Reed Grubbs, Blake Silvis and Chase Fetzik.
After the tip-off tournament, the Wolverines will play their next three games at home, against cross-county rival Youngsville on Dec. 5, followed by Smethport on Dec. 8 and Titusville on Dec. 12. .
