Jeff West boys playing better basketball
The Jeff West High boys basketball team’s record (2-5) might not look great, but numbers can be deceiving.
The Tigers enter the Tonganoxie Invitational playing their best basketball of the year as the team has picked up each of its two wins since the winter break.
First-year JWHS coach Matt Tinsley, who played collegiately at Washburn University from 2000-2004 and spent two years as St. Marys’ head man before coming to lead the Tigers, said his team is coming along nicely.
“We play tough on the defensive end, we’re solid in the half court on offense and look to run when the opportunity presents itself,” Tinsley said.
Well on their way to improving upon last season’s 6-15 mark that ended with a first-round sub-state loss, the Tigers, who finished eighth at last year’s invitational, know that even one win can be hard to come by at the annual tourney.
“This is a very competitive field and we’re looking forward to a great three-game tournament,” Tinsley said before giving praise to Jeff West’s first-round foe. “De Soto’s record speaks for itself. They have played excellent basketball so far this season.”
Although JWHS doesn’t have a specific go-to player or superstar, the Tigers have a number of players capable of producing.
“We don’t necessarily have one guy that stands out,” Tinsley said.
Junior Alex Baker leads the Jeff West scoring attack at 12 points per game and is the team’s best threat from three-point range. Sophomore Dillon Roy balances the Tigers’ offense with his play inside, where he averages just under 12 points a contest. Senior Cole Buckman, an athletic wing, is the team’s best slasher, and produces points in the paint in the half court. Junior Sam DeMaranville runs the point for Jeff West and is averaging five assists an outing.