Young Warriors making progress

Western Grove coach Lendall Martin has seen his team grow up this season and he’s hoping that process continues right into the postseason.

The Class 1A Warriors (17-11) have won three of their last four using mostly a seven-man rotation, which includes just one senior. They are much improved from a year ago when injuries hampered their progress, Martin said. But inexperience has showed some as six of their 11 losses have been by six points or less.

“We’ve started three sophomores, a junior and a senior most of the time,” Martin said. “But lately we’ve reduced turnovers and playing better defense.”

Hunter Baker, a 5-11 junior guard, is the team’s leader, averaging 25 points per game. He made the all-state tournament team as a freshman, but was one of several slowed by injuries a year ago.

“He does a little bit of everything for us, but I think his best asset is his ball-handling, Martin said. “No question he’s the best ball-handler I’ve ever coached. He’s really quick and good in the open court.”

Luke Lane also averages in double figures at about 13 points per game, but the Warriors got a boost at semester when 6-2 junior Champ Saylors moved into the district.

“He’s really just getting started with us, but he has the potential to score,” Martin said. “He had 17 on Tuesday night, but the biggest thing is one more body. He’s really helped us with our depth. At a small school like ours, one more is a big deal.”

Martin said he also expects to move up a couple of players from a junior high team that’s currently 20-2 after their district tournament.

Western Grove is fighting for the No. 2 seed in the upcoming conference tournament behind league leading Deer. The Warriors travel to Jasper for a huge game on Feb. 2.