Bryce brings big presence for Phoenix
Sonoraville senior makes most of his size, skills
More often than not for a basketball team to be successful, it needs a player in the paint that can affect the game on the offensive and defensive end as well as in the rebounding department.
Sonoraville’s Bryce Waters fits that bill perfectly, and the results so far this season have shown that for the Phoenix. Waters has been a big part of the team storming out to a 14-2 record as they head into the stretch run, which already ties the school record for the boys team for most wins in a single season.
The senior is having his best statistical season so far in 201617 with 13.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.9 blocks per game, and he hopes that there are more good times ahead for his final prep season, including competing for a region title and a State Playoff run, after he missed the final few weeks of last season due to an injury.
Waters also was a part of the Phoenix football team this past Fall, which earned its fourth straight State playoff berth, and he had a big part in making that happen with an acrobatic catch in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter of Sonoraville’s Region 6-AAA Play-in game overtime win over Ringgold.
He does all that while also keeping high averages in the classroom as he looks ahead to his post-high school plans, which he hopes includes college class- rooms and basketball courts.
Recently, the Calhoun Times caught up with Waters to discuss the current basketball season, how his injury last season motivated him to make the most of this year, being Sonoraville’s post presence, his final football season, memories as an athlete at Sonoraville High, the influence his coaches has had on him and other subjects.
Here’s what he had to say:
CT:
How has basketball season gone so far? What are your expectations and for yourself and the team this season?
We’ve start-
WATERS:
ed off pretty good this year...14-2. We tied the school record for most wins. I feel like we’ve got some good athletes on the team. We’re really good defensively. We just need to stay focused, and I think we’re going to have a great year... probably 20- plus wins, make a run for the playoffs and hopefully a region championship. For myself, I just want to be able to come out every night and be consistent. I want to be able to rebound the ball, kick it out and go.
CT:
How much did being injured toward the end of last season motivate you want to make the most of every minute on the court this year?
I think it really helped out just seeing how much the team really needs me. It made me work harder over the summer, be more dedicated and try my hardest for this team. It’s helped out this year, winning 14 games so far. I think everybody is just hungry and trying to get what we need done to beat the teams we need to beat.
WATERS: CT:
How much pride do you take in being Sonoraville’s main post presence in the paint and how much have you improved their over the last few seasons?
I think I’ve really grown and learned more about defense...just sliding my feet. As a post player I’m quicker than some others so I’ve learned to be able to guard outside some, guard down low and be a threat to get block shots or steal the ball. I think I lead the team with almost three steals a game.
WATERS: