By Abbie Skemp
After the perfect 2011-2012 basketball season, it was a suspenseful first home game on Nov. 29 for fans of the West High Trojans. Playing Davenport Assumption, the lead was volleyed the entire game.
“[The Trojans] need to execute much better on offense if we want to extend leads. Too many quick shots and poor defense against Assumption caused us a lot of problems,” said head coach and P.E teacher at West High Steve Bergman.
With only thirty seconds left in the game, the score was tied and Assumption brought the ball down the court. The ball was shot and bounced off the rim — the Trojans got the rebound. With the Trojans in possession, Bergman called for a time-out with just nine seconds left.
“ We talked about how to get the ball in-bounds. The strategy was to set a ball-screen for Wyatt [Lohous '14] and let him make a play. [Assumption] players collapsed around him,” Bergman said.
However, this is not what played out. As the Assumption players heavily guarded Lohous, he was able to pass the ball to Austin Swank ’13 who was waiting, open, right outside the three-point line. Swank took the shot and as the ball passed through the net, the buzzer rang.
“I wasn’t even planning on taking the last shot,” Swank said, “but I just happened to be open, and my teammates got me the ball.”
Swank scored 12 of the 56 points scored by West that night, trailing only Dondre Alexander ’13 and Lohous, both with 16 points.
The Trojans also won their game on December 5 against Davenport Central by 30 points, showing signs of another positive season for West High’s boys basketball.
“It is entirely reasonable that we could go back to state and win it. A lot will depend on our players work ethic and preparation,” said Bergman.
