Season Opener Goes Awry... Dogs go 0 for 3
Well Wartburg fans, we are finally back in action for the 2025-26 Basketball season! While we've known this date and this matchup for many weeks - there was an unexpected event today in our small town. Without getting into any particulars of the event, I'll just say to hug your kids a little tighter and remember how hard it can be growing up. My prayers go out to all involved...
The Bulldogs would travel to Cumberland County High School for their first games of the season. Cumberland County is a 3A school with almost 1,000 students compared to Wartburg's 1A status. Would the Bulldogs be able to start off on the right foot, or would it be a tough start to the new season?
First up was the Boys Junior Varsity. Coached up by Assistant Coach Jeremy Miller, the boys sported a deep bench. However, so did Cumberland County. Everything the Bulldogs threw at their opponent, the Cumberland County Jets had an answer. They are working on their motion offense and setting screens - and they had plenty of time in the lab today. While there were some signs of life - the Jets took down the Bulldogs easily 62-21.
Next up were the girls varsity team. To be 100% transparent, there is not going to be a girls junior varsity team this year. Head Coach Jen Hendricks will need all hands on deck from her 8 warriors of the court. The good news is that she should not have to field any of the difficult conversations about playing time - there is plenty to go around for everyone! Where Wartburg had seven ladies available, Cumberland County filled up all 16 of their bench chairs - and then had to bring out 8 additional chairs to sit behind their bench for their sizable squad. With constant fresh legs and intense pressure - the Lady Bulldogs had trouble getting much consistency - and they fell to the Lady Jets 73-39.
Last up was the Varsity Boys. Where one would hope that they could redeem the trip to the Central Time Zone for the Bulldogs, the Cumberland County boys were extremely good shooters. With 14 three pointers in this contest, they were hot from range - and the Bulldogs were frustrated by their physicality. While there were signs of good things to come for the boys, this one was a big loss as the Jets kept the accelerator hammered all the way to the end... Bulldogs fall 87-49 to the Jets.
Below are a few thoughts meant to encourage some of our young athletes that went above and beyond against Cumberland County:
The Bulldogs would travel to Cumberland County High School for their first games of the season. Cumberland County is a 3A school with almost 1,000 students compared to Wartburg's 1A status. Would the Bulldogs be able to start off on the right foot, or would it be a tough start to the new season?
First up was the Boys Junior Varsity. Coached up by Assistant Coach Jeremy Miller, the boys sported a deep bench. However, so did Cumberland County. Everything the Bulldogs threw at their opponent, the Cumberland County Jets had an answer. They are working on their motion offense and setting screens - and they had plenty of time in the lab today. While there were some signs of life - the Jets took down the Bulldogs easily 62-21.
Next up were the girls varsity team. To be 100% transparent, there is not going to be a girls junior varsity team this year. Head Coach Jen Hendricks will need all hands on deck from her 8 warriors of the court. The good news is that she should not have to field any of the difficult conversations about playing time - there is plenty to go around for everyone! Where Wartburg had seven ladies available, Cumberland County filled up all 16 of their bench chairs - and then had to bring out 8 additional chairs to sit behind their bench for their sizable squad. With constant fresh legs and intense pressure - the Lady Bulldogs had trouble getting much consistency - and they fell to the Lady Jets 73-39.
Last up was the Varsity Boys. Where one would hope that they could redeem the trip to the Central Time Zone for the Bulldogs, the Cumberland County boys were extremely good shooters. With 14 three pointers in this contest, they were hot from range - and the Bulldogs were frustrated by their physicality. While there were signs of good things to come for the boys, this one was a big loss as the Jets kept the accelerator hammered all the way to the end... Bulldogs fall 87-49 to the Jets.
Below are a few thoughts meant to encourage some of our young athletes that went above and beyond against Cumberland County:
Joe Dirt?
I walk into Cumberland County, and what do I see? Joe Dirt looking back at me? Reid "Fireworks" Quinney has made some waves with his new cut. He grew it out for a while - and he semi-recently cut it into the infamous "mullet". Quinney has grown several inches in the last year - so he is long and rangy now - with the intimidating cut to boot. Quinney is a gamer that thrives on intensity... He was able to break the seal on scoring with a couple of varsity points - and had a big role to play in JV as well.
Psycho Time
A player that is fighting for minutes on Varsity - but plays a key role on the JV is Noah Ward. Ward was a versatile wing in Middle School at Petros-Joyner - and spent last year learning the finer points of the post. Now, a big-bodied sophomore, he is learning the physicality required for the position. He looks for contact by setting screens. Recently he said, "My friends that play football always tell me, 'I play football because I like to hit people.' I never understood that before - but I think it's starting to make sense now. I kinda like the contact." Ward had 8 of the JV's 21 points all from screens and layups. Look for the Psych Ward to show up looking for contact again real soon.
Headband Energy
In high school, basketball is a tough sport to pop back into after a few years off. It gets fairly technical at that age range. One player that has taken the challenge of coming back as a Senior is Wayne Potter. Potter is not timid, hanging back to see how things will shake out. No - Potter dons a headband like he's getting ready to go to the All Valley Tournament to represent Cobra Kai! When he gets minutes, he looks like an athlete giving it his all - and I've heard his screen-setting is the thing of legends. The Bulldogs can always use an extra athlete on the court - and that headband energy he brings makes him Wayne "The Icon" Potter.
Ledford and Brown Shine Bright
The girls team is only returning two starters from last year's team, so there is plenty of room for new blood to step up. While Kaylee Ledford played ball last year admirably - and proved herself to be a major asset as a junior - she looked more poised and confident in tonight's contest in Cumberland County. Despite the loss, Ledford looked ready to rock and roll with her team leading 13 points. The second highest scorer for the Bulldogs was the sophomore Addison Brown. She put up 9 points with plenty of minutes. Like I said earlier, there is plenty of room on this squad for some younger players to step up and have a significant role. Brown looks like a player poised to do just that!
Prayers for Recovering Bulldog
With only 7 current ladies - Coach Jen Hendricks needs everyone ready to roll. One athlete that is down recovering from surgery is Bradlee Sexton. This is your reminder to pray for her quick, efficient recovery... Not just so she can re-claim a significant role in the post gobbling up rebounds and put-backs. We just want her better! Get well soon Bradlee!
Performer of the Night
While it was a fairly lopsided victory in the Varsity Boys game - one player that impressed with his minutes was Ian Robinson. The senior was able to slash and drive his way in through traffic for contested shots... Robinson turned his opportunities into points several times - scoring a team-high 19, and shooting 60% from the free throw line (drawing several fouls). Robinson has two speeds - he's either full blast, or on the bench... there is no medium speed for this guy - and tonight, that worked out just fine. Look for Robinson and his speed and athleticism to play a crucial role this year on Wartburg's basketball team.
That's it for this time! I hope you've enjoyed the DogBlitz... Next up is Van Buren on Friday, Nov 21 where we will see if tonight was a fluke, or if it was an accurate showing for the Dogs.
Go Dogs!
