Senior Laden Basketball Team Looks to Make Playoff Run

With the 2017-2018 basketball season upon us, all anyone can think about is the heartbreaking loss the Wildcats suffered to the MICDS Rams in the district semi-final. That game is a fire that is fueling this year’s Wildcats.

The Wildcats lost four of their five starters due to graduation, and the only returning starter suffered a devastating injury that will sideline him the entire upcoming season.

Head Coach Dale Ribble, in his second year at Westminster, is counting on all of the returning players to be leaders and take control on their own. “A team that holds each other accountable and doesn’t rely on the coach for everything, is a team that will progressively get better,” Coach Ribble said.

With a total of seven seniors on the varsity roster, the team has chemistry like no other. Many of the athletes have been playing together since they were in elementary school back at Kirk Day School. It’s been amazing to have the opportunity to mature and grow as players with the same group of guys for close to ten years,” senior guard Dominic Cusumano said.

Not only have these guys been playing together, but they are all great friends off the court. “One of the special things about this team is every single one of us off the floor are very good friends. We connect on the floor and off,” said senior forward Chad Briden.

Although the Wildcats lost two 1,000 point scorers in Steve Webb and Cliff Degroot, they are not worried about being undermanned. They may not have that superstar who can do it all, but they have seven or eight guys who are all smart basketball players capable of contributing anywhere from 8-15 points a game.

The basketball team is practicing six days a week to prepare for the upcoming Jamboree: “Everyone is motivated to work hard every day, and we are constantly pushing each other. The environment is really competitive,” junior guard Jerram Adams said. This year’s squad has a work ethic different than many other teams, and they are showing that every day in the gym.

The basketball team is working hard every single day to prepare for the Jamboree. Make sure to come out and support them on the 16th here at WCA!