Wildcats Open Fort Wayne Wayne Sectional By Playing Norwell Knights
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Cliff Tanner-
Whitko joins fellow Three Rivers Conference foe Tippecanoe Valley in the sectional. If the Wildcats advance against Norwell tonight, they will play Friday at 6 p.m. against the winner of the Elmhurst-Wayne game.[[In-content Ad]]Coach Rob Irwin entered his sophomore season as coach and athletic director at Whitko with hopes of improvement over last season. The Wildcats posted three wins last year.
Irwin, who couldn't be reached for comment, coached previously at Carroll High School. He brought a new system of playing basketball with him.
"These kids have worked hard to learn my system of basketball. When the season began we only had a few days with the whole team to learn it," Irwin said last year.
Whitko came into the 2006-07 season with nine returning players, including sophomore Cory Snep. Snep became a starter last year as a freshman.
"We will need Cory to step it up this year for us. He is the guy we will look for when we need some points. He will be the key to our offense this year," Irwin said earlier this year.
Snep leads the Wildcats in scoring with 14.0 points per game. Snep has missed six games this year due to various injuries and illness.
Whitko has six seniors on this year's roster. The senior class includes, Kaleb Swender, Patrick Carroll, Doru Aldea, Brian Busz, Andrew Warner and Randy Wilkinson.
"Our seniors will need to take their leadership role seriously and step up to help this team win," Irwin said earlier this year.
The Wildcats had their share of ups and downs throughout the season. Whitko overcame some adversity to finish the regular season with a 5-15 record.
Whitko started the season with a very tough schedule, including Columbia City, Wawasee, Tippecanoe Valley, Rochester and Warsaw.
Although Wawasee beat Whitko by a large margin, the Wildcats stayed close early in the game.
Irwin commended the Wildcats after the game.
"I told the kids to hold their heads up high, tonight we hit the turning point. They played very tough and never gave up on each other. Tonight they learned what it was like to play as a team," Irwin said after the Wildcats 64-39.
Whitko continued to improve as a basketball team. The Wildcats played well against Three Rivers Conference opponents Rochester and Tippecanoe Valley. They lost both games but had moments of improved play.
"We will continue to improve as the season progresses. We need for the leaders to continue to step up when we need them," Irwin said earlier in the season.
Then along came the Warsaw game. The Tigers traveled to South Whitley to take on the Wildcats on their home court. The advantage paid off.
Whitko held off a late charge by the Tigers on late free throws from Snep to upset Warsaw and secure a big win for the Whitko program. The Wildcats' fans and players went wild and celebrated as time expired.
"This was a big win for this program. It is a great feeling. The kids did a great job tonight and Cory stepped it up for us when he had to. Hopefully this will carry on throughout the season," Irwin said after the game.
Warner leads the Wildcats in the rebounds 6.1 per game average. He also leads the team in blocked shots while scoring 11.3 points per game.
Rowland leads the team in steals and is third in assists. Rowland also leads the team in field goal and free throw percentage. Rowland is third in scoring with an average of 10.6 points per game.
Hart, who has both started and come off the bench, leads the Wildcats in assists. Hart provided the Wildcats with good ball handling when needed.
Snep, along with his 14 points per game, contributed to the Whitko team in other areas with a number of steals and assists.
Six-foot-8 sophomore Kaden Krull provides some inside presence for the Wildcats. Krull earned a starting job after the Wawasee game.
"Kaden has worked himself into the starting lineup. He will continue to improve as time goes on," Irwin said after the game.
Whitko goes in the sectional averaging 53 points per game. The Wildcats' opponents average 61 points per game.
Whitko joins fellow Three Rivers Conference foe Tippecanoe Valley in the sectional. If the Wildcats advance against Norwell tonight, they will play Friday at 6 p.m. against the winner of the Elmhurst-Wayne game.[[In-content Ad]]Coach Rob Irwin entered his sophomore season as coach and athletic director at Whitko with hopes of improvement over last season. The Wildcats posted three wins last year.
Irwin, who couldn't be reached for comment, coached previously at Carroll High School. He brought a new system of playing basketball with him.
"These kids have worked hard to learn my system of basketball. When the season began we only had a few days with the whole team to learn it," Irwin said last year.
Whitko came into the 2006-07 season with nine returning players, including sophomore Cory Snep. Snep became a starter last year as a freshman.
"We will need Cory to step it up this year for us. He is the guy we will look for when we need some points. He will be the key to our offense this year," Irwin said earlier this year.
Snep leads the Wildcats in scoring with 14.0 points per game. Snep has missed six games this year due to various injuries and illness.
Whitko has six seniors on this year's roster. The senior class includes, Kaleb Swender, Patrick Carroll, Doru Aldea, Brian Busz, Andrew Warner and Randy Wilkinson.
"Our seniors will need to take their leadership role seriously and step up to help this team win," Irwin said earlier this year.
The Wildcats had their share of ups and downs throughout the season. Whitko overcame some adversity to finish the regular season with a 5-15 record.
Whitko started the season with a very tough schedule, including Columbia City, Wawasee, Tippecanoe Valley, Rochester and Warsaw.
Although Wawasee beat Whitko by a large margin, the Wildcats stayed close early in the game.
Irwin commended the Wildcats after the game.
"I told the kids to hold their heads up high, tonight we hit the turning point. They played very tough and never gave up on each other. Tonight they learned what it was like to play as a team," Irwin said after the Wildcats 64-39.
Whitko continued to improve as a basketball team. The Wildcats played well against Three Rivers Conference opponents Rochester and Tippecanoe Valley. They lost both games but had moments of improved play.
"We will continue to improve as the season progresses. We need for the leaders to continue to step up when we need them," Irwin said earlier in the season.
Then along came the Warsaw game. The Tigers traveled to South Whitley to take on the Wildcats on their home court. The advantage paid off.
Whitko held off a late charge by the Tigers on late free throws from Snep to upset Warsaw and secure a big win for the Whitko program. The Wildcats' fans and players went wild and celebrated as time expired.
"This was a big win for this program. It is a great feeling. The kids did a great job tonight and Cory stepped it up for us when he had to. Hopefully this will carry on throughout the season," Irwin said after the game.
Warner leads the Wildcats in the rebounds 6.1 per game average. He also leads the team in blocked shots while scoring 11.3 points per game.
Rowland leads the team in steals and is third in assists. Rowland also leads the team in field goal and free throw percentage. Rowland is third in scoring with an average of 10.6 points per game.
Hart, who has both started and come off the bench, leads the Wildcats in assists. Hart provided the Wildcats with good ball handling when needed.
Snep, along with his 14 points per game, contributed to the Whitko team in other areas with a number of steals and assists.
Six-foot-8 sophomore Kaden Krull provides some inside presence for the Wildcats. Krull earned a starting job after the Wawasee game.
"Kaden has worked himself into the starting lineup. He will continue to improve as time goes on," Irwin said after the game.
Whitko goes in the sectional averaging 53 points per game. The Wildcats' opponents average 61 points per game.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092