Wahlert ready to take flight

DUBUQUE - Coming off the Class 3A state championship, the Wahlert boys' basketball team stands 13-9 against arguably the toughest schedule in the state.

'It is probably the toughest schedule we've ever had in the 20 years I've been coaching here,” head coach Tom English said. 'There is no doubt that we will be battle tested by postseason time, and will have seen just about any situation imaginable.

'However, at times, the schedule takes its toll, both mentally and physically, and it can be challenging. We hoped our record would be better, but we have played a lot of good teams. We know that we have a good team, and we are a little confused as to why we haven't been able to pull out a few other wins, but we're pretty satisfied with where we're at.”

Despite the success the team had last year on its way to the state championship, the Golden Eagles understand they must continue working hard to attain that same goal this year. The opened district play with a 92-48 win over Independence and face Center Point-Urbana in a district final Thursday at Epworth.

'Anytime you lose seniors of the caliber that we had last year, it is tough,” English said. 'We have had to experiment with rotations and find the right positions for players to be successful. But the guys have responded very well and realize that last year is last year and we have to forge ahead with this year's group.”

The players are willing to accept the challenge other teams pose as they shoot for a repeat.

'It is not easy defending a state title because every team gives you their best shot every game and you have to play well every night in order to win,” senior Nolan Timp said.

Despite losing a lot of experience, Wahlert does have three experienced seniors in Timp, Josh Carter and Cameron Adams, who all saw a lot of playing time last year, along with junior Cordell Pemsl.

Many players have stepped up in the team's title defense, including junior point guard David Wedewer. Wedewer took over the position after Jared Walker graduated and has risen to the challenge, leading the team with 55 assists. Walker now is at nationally ranked Wichita State.

'I am learning a lot of lessons against good competition,” Wedewer said. 'It also doesn't hurt that we have a lot of good players on the team.”

The Eagleshave faced many challenges thus far, including injuries to key players such as Iowa Hawkeye commit Pemsl, Adams and junior Riley Till.

'We have had plenty of injuries that have challenged us,” English said. 'We made minor adjustments regarding how we attack offensively, and we have had to experiment a little more than we like this late in the season. But in the long run, the bench will be stronger because they have had to step up and take on a bigger role with the injured players out.”

Till, David Iwowari, Austin Kluck and John Timmerman are a few of the juniors who have been a large part of the Eagles' continued success in the wake of injuries.

'We've overcome the adversity of a slow start and all of the late injuries,” English said. 'We have had to show some mental toughness and stick together to try to peak in February and March.”

It has been a full team effort from the Golden Eagles. Pemsl has led the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 18.9 points a game while corralling a total of 99 rebounds through 14 games.

There is no doubt the potential is there for this team to defend its title once all of the players are healthy and the team is firing on all cylinders.

'Our goal is on the state championship and we will do whatever it takes to get there,” Wedewer said.