Both Trojan Basketball Teams Young, Looking to Learn

The Whitehall Trojan Basketball team's seasons haven't brought in many wins, but learning experiences are vital to both teams and their success.

"We're young - we're a very young team," said junior Maxine Hoagland. Her starting teammates Lindsay Briggs, Haley Briggs, and Charity Nieskens nodded in agreement.

The 15 lady team, coached by second-year coach Mecklin Davis and first-year coach Carly Jessop, has eight freshmen, four sophomores, two juniors, and one lone senior. Davis and Jessop brought up eighth-grader Julia Hoagland to play with the high school team as well.

"We're looking to learn how to compete, how to move at a different level and pace so that the game slows down," Davis said. "We want the team thinking of the game, learning how to execute on plays and strategies."

The starters for the girl's team acknowledge that the team is very close and has great chemistry both on and off the court.

"We're learning how to trust each other, be accountable, and encourage each other," Lindsay Briggs said.

"I think we're going to surprise people soon," Hoagland said with a smile.

On the boy's team, it is the same story - youth is plentiful on the roster. The 13 man team boasts five freshmen, six sophomores, no juniors, and two seniors. First-year Whitehall Coach Tanner Neumann brought up three eighth-graders as well, Zane Downey, Tucker Huckaba, and Miles McLean.

"We're relying on Lane [Wagner] and Brendan [Wagner] for leadership right now," Neumann said, noting that the style he's teaching is something different and there is a huge learning curve. "Each day we get better."

"We're looking to create leaders this year and set an example," said Brendan Wagner.