Coming off a class 3A state championship, the Wahlert men’s basketball team has gotten off to a 14 and 9 start against arguably the toughest schedule in the state.

According to head coach Tom English, this has been the toughest schedule his team has faced in his twenty years of coaching. “There is no doubt that we will be battle tested by post season time, and will have seen just about any situation imaginable. However, at times the schedule takes it’s toll, both mentally and physically, and it can be challenging,” English said. “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.”

The team knows that when they play to their potential, more wins will come as a result.  “The season has been tough for us but we know how we can play,” junior Cordell Pemsl said. “Our games haven’t been going the way we want, but once we get all aspects clicking we will be fine.”

Despite the success the team had last year on its way to the state championship, they understand that they must continue working hard to attain that same goal this year. “Anytime you lose seniors of the caliber that we had last year, it is tough.  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,” English said.

The players are willing to accept the challenge that other teams pose as they try to 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 this year, the team does return three seniors in Timp, Josh Carter, and Cameron Adams, who all saw a lot of playing time last year, along with junior Cordell Pemsl. “This year’s senior class has helped us bring the team together,” Pemsl said. “Obviously, Josh and Nolan are big contributors as well as Cam. And our other seniors help us get better in practice and bring energy every day.”

Many players have stepped up to continue the team’s quest to defend its state title, including junior point guard David Wedewer. Wedewer took over the position after Jared Walker graduated.

Wedewer has risen to the challenge of replacing current Wichita State player Walker. He currently leads the team in assists with 62. “I am learning a lot of lessons against good competition. It also doesn’t hurt that we have a lot of good players on the team,” Wedewer said.

The team has faced many challenges thus far, including injuries to key players such as junior and Iowa Hawkeye commit Pemsl, Adams, and junior Riley Till. “We have had plenty of injuries that have challenged us.  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,” English said.

Cordell Pemsl agrees. ”The preseason injury was hard on the team and myself. I tried my hardest to get back for the start of the season, and I ended up getting a setback which only helped the team fight through adversity.”

Till, David Iwowari, Austin Kluck, and John Timmerman are a few of the juniors who have been a large part of the Eagles’ continuing to win games in the wake of injuries.

Overall, English is proud of his players. English said, “We’ve overcome the adversity of a slow start and all of the late injuries.  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 18.8 points a game, while Josh Carter has led the teams in rebounding with 139 rebounds through 23 games.

There is no doubt that 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. According to Wedewer, “Our goal is the state championship, and we will do whatever it takes to get there.”

The Eagles have cruised through the post-season thus far on their way to a district title. With a win this Monday, they will  return to the state tournament with the goal of defending their state title coming that much closer.