The Westerville South Boys Basketball team has worked really hard during the off-season and it showed in their first game when they defeated Northland on Nov. 24 with a score of 74-53. 

Drey Carter, a senior, scored 18 points and Reign Winston, another senior, led right behind him with 13 points. 

They continued with another win on Nov. 30 against Dublin Coffman with a final score of 66-61, making them 2-0. Carter scored 19 points and Jadi Cunningham, a junior, scored 18 points. 

Coach Brad Burris said they have been training since the spring with weightlifting, conditioning, skill development training, and open gyms. 

Coach Burris said his goal for the season is to get better every day. “Putting your full effort, concentration, and focus day-by-day can be challenging. So if we can get better every day, it gives us our best chance to realize some of the loftier things that might be out there,” he said.  

Carter said his goals are to win the league and go to states. 

With lots of upcoming games, the players enjoy the support from the stands. Jalen Wheeler, a junior, said, “It gives me energy and excitement and helps me prepare mentally for the game. The large crowds and loud chants turn me up.” 

Carter said, “The support builds a good environment for the players and the fans and gives the team positive energy.”

The ‘Cats play their cross-town rival, Westerville North, on Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. on the Ed Calo court. The coaching has been steady with Ed Calo being the head coach for the past 34 years; however, Burris said there is one thing that changes each year, and that is the dynamic. 

When teams are losing seniors and adding other players onto the Varsity roster, the dynamic changes, Burris explained.

With many underclassmen having the goal to be on varsity, Wheeler said his advice would be, “To work hard consistently and take lifting seriously if you want to be the best athlete you can be.” 

Carter said his advice would be, “To stay committed to the program and always put in extra work to get better.”

While the Cats are at the start of their season, they have already seen success on the court and are looking to improve every day