Basketball preview: Windermere Wolverines have high expectations | Observer Preps

Building a program from scratch is no easy feat.

There are issues of dealing with a new staff and new players — many of whom have never played together. 

It takes most programs a few years to set their roots down and establish themselves, but at Windermere High, head coach Mark Griseck already has turned his second-year Wolverines team into a legitimate threat.

“It’s incredibly difficult,” Griseck said. “This is my first time starting a program, as many years as I’ve been doing this — and it’s been very rewarding. And I think the good part of it is that everything is new; whatever traditions you want to start, however you want to define your basketball program and your culture, you do that — you lay the foundation.”

Going into last year, to say there were no expectations — other than kids going out and having fun — is a pretty sizable understatement. It makes sense when you think of all the unknowns that come with fielding a new team.

But for Griseck, the unknowns also were beneficial; the Wolverines had the element of surprise working in their favor.

“The advantage we had (was that) I don’t think expectations were high from anybody outside of ourselves,” he said. “So we kind of were able to sneak up on some people, which that won’t be an advantage this year.”

That advantage, along with strong play across the roster, led the Wolverines to a 16-9 (5-3 in district) record in a year during which a group of high-school kids came together and played for one another.

And the scary part about this year’s team? It returns just about everyone — including players such as Dakota Rivers, Josh Colon, Trey Moss and Carter Zavada.

Rivers, a 6-foot-8 senior with a vast scoring range, will be the big man on campus thanks in part to his ability to rack up points.

Through 26 games last year, Dakota led the team with 16.6 points per game while picking up team highs in rebounds (355 total, or 13.7 rpg) and blocks (36). His numbers were a big part of what helped the Wolverines to such a strong first season, Griseck said.

“When you start off a program with a player who is a junior and Division I players, you’re going to have a chance to have a little bit of success,” Griseck said. “Him being here was a big deal and a big tribute to our success.”

While his numbers last year were big enough to land him a scholarship to play DI ball at Florida Gulf Coast University — aka “Dunk City” — Rivers suspects the Wolverines to make some noise this season.

 “We all feel really confident about winnings states this year,” Rivers said. “We have a really good team — everyone is coming back  — and our chemistry is getting better and better every day.

“This year is really fun,” he said. “Last year was fun too, but this year is just ridiculous — we just really enjoy each other.”

Unlike last year, this year’s squad will have six seniors — including Rivers — to help provide leadership on the court, and fewer players will play that role more efficiently than guard Carter Zavada.

A Gettysburg College basketball commit, Zavada was second on the team in assists last year with 73 (2.8 per game) while leading the team in steals with 47. 

In terms of underclassmen, Griseck will look to a few players, including Trey Moss. During his freshman campaign last season, the young guard led the team in total assists (105) while picking 137 rebounds (5.3 per game) and 32 steals. He also was tied with Colon in points per game (9.7).

“Trey is just a special young talent,” Griseck said. “He’s very coachable. He wants to be good, he doesn’t back down from challenges, and he’ll rise to the occasion. He’s a player who obviously loves the game.”

BASKETBALL BREAKDOWN

DR. PHILLIPS

Panthers boys team

Head coach: Daniel Batchelor

2017-18 record: 19-9 (3-1 in district)

Key returners: Rakeem Perry, Shi Gaskin

Key losses: Dante Love

Quick hit: In each of the last two seasons, the Panthers picked up 19 wins (going 19-9 last year, and 19-7 in 2016/17) and made the playoffs. Last season, the Panthers fell to eventual state champs Oak Ridge in the regional semis. The Panthers are returning most of their core guys, although they lost senior Dante Love, who transferred to Windermere High. Look for this year’s Dr. Phillips team to keep up the pace of success.

Panthers girls team 

Head coach: Anthony Jones

2017-18 record: 7-11 (2-1 in district)

Key returners: Zoe Alexander, Porchia Washington, Ailey Schyck

Key losses: Samijah Butler, Mykiah Presley

Quick hit: It was a difficult year for the Lady Panthers, as Dr. Phillips finished last season on a three-game losing streak. That said, the Panthers return the duo of senior Zoe Alexander and sophomore Porchia Washington, while adding freshman center Ailey Schyck — who at 5-foot-11 will provide some height for the Panthers.

OLYMPIA

Titans boys team

Head coach: Rob Gordon

2017-18 record: 14-12 (3-0 in district)

Key returners: Jacari White, Jackson Dillon

Key losses: Markel Hudson

Quick hit: Although last season’s record of 14-12 seems modest, it was a big year for the Titans program as they finished above .500 for the first time in three years. Led by second-year head coach Rob Gordon, the Titans hope to improve on last year after losing All-Metro West senior forward Markel Hudson to graduation. 

Titans girls team

Head coach: Darius Ford

2017-18 record: 8-21 (2-3 in district)

Key returners: Chenoa Johnson, Shadaria Smith

Key losses: Airyannah Moitt

Quick hit: Junior Chenoa Johnson will lead the way for the Titans this year, while she gets support from Shadaria Smith (9.5 ppg, 2.2 rebounds per game).

THE FIRST ACADEMY

Royals boys team

Head coach: Chris Mayberry

2017-18 record: 17-13 (3-2 in district)

Key returners: Alex Shields, Koby Morgan, Nnamdi Nwaogwugwu

Key losses: Elwood Tomlinson, Greg Gallon

Quick hit: The story as it relates to TFA is size, size and more size. On this year’s roster, the Royals have eight players who stand at 6-foot-3 or taller — including the 6-foot-7 Koby Morgan at forward and 6-foot-6 Jeremiah Bannister.

Royals girls team

Head coach: Chris Mayberry

2017-18 record: 20-9 (4-2 in district)

Key returners: Nyla Harris, Tatiana Ortiz

Key losses: Asia Newsome

Quick hit: The Royals had one heck of a season last year before running into the buzzsaw of eventual state runner-ups Lake Highland Prep in the playoffs. The Royals are still in good shape for this new season as they return Tatiana Ortiz, who last year as an eighth-grader picked up 13.2 points per game while grabbing 9.6 rebounds per game.

WINDERMERE

Wolverines boys team

Head coach: Mark Griseck

2017-18 record: 16-9 (5-3 in district)

Key returners: Dakota Rivers, Trey Moss, Carter Zavada

Quick hit: The Wolverines return just about everyone from last year’s inaugural basketball team, including FGCU commit Dakota Rivers and Gettysburg College commit Carter Zavada. Last season, Rivers led the way for the Wolverines with 16.6 points per game (a team high), along with 13.7 rebounds per game and 36 blocks. 

Wolverines girls team

Head coach: Misty Cox

2017-18 record: 9-11 (3-4 in district)

Key returners: Abigail Crain, Mikayln Nash, Brianna Szymanski

Quick hit: The Wolverines girls basketball team will be returning just about everyone. But this year, they will have added experience. This year’s team will have three seniors in Brianna Szymanski, Azurae Taylor and co-captain Mikayln Nash. 

WINDERMERE PREP

Lakers boys team

Head coach: Brian Hoff

2017-18 record: 13-15 (4-1 in district)

Key returners: Fenbo Zeng (freshman), Zavien Williams, Jaden Knowles

Key losses: Rahsaan Lewis, Omar Bhaghani

Quick hit: First-year head coach Brian Hoff has a talented group of young players, including freshman Fenbo Zeng and sophomore guard Zavien Williams. Zeng, a member of the Chinese National Team, is lanky at 6-foot-9 but has the raw talent to be something special.

Lakers girls team

Head coach: Emmalee Schill

2017-2018 record: 10-10 (0-0 in district)

Key returners: Cici Yang, Grace Anderson, Julia High

Key losses: Hailey Jones, Maria Kantounis

Quick hit: Last season’s 10-10 record is the first time the Lakers have finished at .500 or above in years, and it’s all thanks to a group of players who have bought into coach Emmalee Schill’s program.