Continuity and disruption are two words that have been spoken frequently around the West Springfield boys basketball program as of late, mainly because the Spartans are looking for more of one and less of the other.
Between injuries, youth and sudden trips out of town, West Springfield coach Dick Wickline has been forced to cobble together a different starting lineup nearly every single game this season.
“It seems like when we started to get on a little bit of a roll, somebody gets hurt or somebody misses practice,” Wickline said. “Anytime you have a disruption like that it just hurts your progress.”
But after an uplifting 50-38 win over South County on Friday, Jan. 16, West Springfield (3-10, 1-5 Patriot) is optimistic about its chances to resurrect the season. Against South County, the Spartans started strong, out-rebounding and out-hustling the Stallions to build a 16-3 lead after the first quarter.
Last Friday’s win also avenged a double-overtime loss to South County that occurred during the Pohanka Chantilly Classic on Dec. 30. In that loss, West Springfield was outscored 21-7 in the decisive overtime period.
“We weren’t going to come out and lose to them again,” sophomore guard Ali Kazmi said.
<b>WEST SPRINGFIELD’S</b> lack of continuity started early this season when Bryn Renner announced that he would forgo his senior season to focus on rehabilitating a shoulder injury he sustained during football season.
Renner averaged more than 28 points per game last winter and was often West Springfield’s best and only form of offense.
With Renner gone, players such as Kazmi and senior forward Jordan Massey have had to step into starring roles this season. Massey has embraced the spotlight, averaging 14.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
“Last year, I didn’t have to worry about scoring that much,” Massey said. “I just tried to get in there and rebound because we had Bryn. But since we don’t have Bryn and we have a small, young team, I’m just trying to take on the role of scoring and trying to do as much as possible to win the game.”
Kazmi, who’s the team’s second leading scorer at 12.2 points per game, credited the team’s new offensive philosophy for the biggest difference.
“There’s more chemistry on the court, more people can get in [the game] and more people know what they’re doing now,” Kazmi said. “There’s nobody that’s lost on the court now.”
“I think they’ve taken ownership because at times last year they just stood around and watched [Renner],” Wickline said. “Now I think they’re enjoying being more of a part of the team instead of just watching.”
<b>STANDING AROUND</b> and watching has been the second disruption to West Springfield’s sought-after continuity this season and that goes for those who actually make it to the game.
Senior forward Jimmy Bradshaw rolled his ankle during a Jan. 9 loss to T.C. Williams, rendering him inactive for the past two contests entering Wednesday night’s Patriot District battle with Lee, which ended after this edition went to press.
Wickline hopes to have Bradshaw return soon but was less optimistic about sophomore Lawrence Rouse, who was having a breakout year before suffering a concussion during the first South County game. Rouse is still unable to pass the baseline concussion test required for medical clearance.
Sophomore center Hyung-Ju Kim recently went on a family trip and since has been dealing with a charley horse in his thigh, while a few other players missed Pohanka Classic games with non-basketball commitments.
With the players Wickline has had to work with, he has taken a back-to-basics approach. In his 12th year at West Springfield, Wickline has found himself once again emphasizing basic concepts such as breakout passes and how to deal with defensive pressure.
But while he wouldn’t mind a little bit of continuity during the second half of the season and without a doubt a few less disruptions, the one thing Wickline has been pleased with has been his team’s effort.
“We’re young, we’re working hard and we’re getting better,” Wickline said. “We’ve fallen behind in games, but we haven’t quit. That says a lot. We’re not terribly talented and we’re not terribly big, but we’ve played with a lot of heart and we’re pleased with that.”