Whiteland senior guard Wiatt McLaughlin, center, draws a crowd during a game against Greenwood this season.
Daily Journal file photo
With all the things available to help elevate a player’s contributions, the generations-old standby of simply being a year wiser usually gets shoved into the background.
Wiatt McLaughlin is pushing back.
The Whiteland guard averages 11.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists entering tonight’s sectional opener against Shelbyville, a squad Whiteland hosted in December and beat by a score of 65-53.
Considering McLaughlin’s scoring norm was a team-best 16.2 last winter, some might view his productivity as having taken one rather sizable step back. In truth, the 6-foot-2 senior’s impact on every aspect of what the team does has never been loftier.
“Wiatt has matured a ton,” Warriors coach Nate Cangany said. “I think he’s showing more of those winning characteristics. Practicing hard every day, playing defense and moving the ball.”
Whiteland’s reputation for a balanced scoring attack in Cangany’s five seasons has never been more pronounced than with his current squad. Three other Warrior starters average double figures — senior guard Jazz Banwait (15.1) as well as junior wings Gavin Stubbe (13.5) and Ethan Edwards (12.9).
Not coincidentally, McLaughlin’s assist norm is more than that of a year ago.
“I feel like my junior year I had to score a lot more. My points have gone down this season, but my assists have gone up,” said McLaughlin, recalling his role on a squad that finished 10-15 and lost in the sectional final to Columbus North, 67-58. “It’s just maturing and being on the team longer.
“Moving the ball is probably what I take the most pride in. Everybody has to be on the same page finding the good shot.”
McLaughlin is one of four captains on the 2023-24 team, the others being Banwait, Edwards and junior guard Spencer Gillespie. Banwait is probably the most vocal of the group, though McLaughlin leads in ways that best fit his personality.
“I feel like we all hold some accountability,” McLaughlin said. “I’m more of a lead-by-example player, but if I have to give someone a talk, I would do it in the huddle. I wouldn’t yell at them or anything.”
McLaughlin, who boasts a 36-inch vertical leap, can drive the ball to the hoop, score in the mid-range or sprinkle in the occasional 3-point basket. He scored a season-high 31 points in Whiteland’s fourth game of the season, a 75-42 win over Perry Meridian, and contributed 28 recently in a one-point loss at New Palestine.
The senior drained three triples in the game against New Pal; he’s twice produced five steals in a game and been credited with as many as eight rebounds.
Entering tonight’s game against the Golden Bears, McLaughlin is averaging 10.1 field goal attempts a game. He finished his junior campaign with 13.5 in the same category.
Necessity meets maturity.
“Wiatt’s teammates are seeing him do all those little things as a senior, and I’ve really enjoyed coaching him,” Cangany said. “He wants the team to be successful, and he’s put the team above himself.”
IF YOU GO
Class 4A Bloomington North Sectional
Today
Bloomington South vs. Greenwood, 6 p.m.
Mooresville vs. Center Grove, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Martinsville vs. Bloomington South/Greenwood, 6 p.m.
Bloomington North vs. Mooresville/Center Grove, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7:30 p.m.
Class 4A East Central Sectional
Today
Columbus East vs. Columbus North, 6 p.m.
Shelbyville vs. Whiteland, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
East Central vs. Columbus East/Columbus North, 6 p.m.
Franklin vs. Shelbyville/Whiteland, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7:30 p.m.
Class 3A Owen Valley Sectional
Today
West Vigo at Owen Valley, 7 p.m.
Wednesday
South Vermillion vs. Indian Creek, 6 p.m.
Brown County vs. Edgewood, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Northview vs. today’s winner, 6 p.m.
Wednesday’s winners, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7:30 p.m.
Class A Indianapolis Lutheran Sectional
Today
Indianapolis Lutheran vs. Victory College Prep, 7 p.m.
Wednesday
Providence Cristo Rey vs. Greenwood Christian, 6 p.m.
Central Christian vs. Eminence, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Tindley vs. today’s winner, 6 p.m.
Wednesday’s winners, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7:30 p.m.
Class A Edinburgh Sectional
Today
Morristown vs. Southwestern, 7 p.m.
Wednesday
Jac-Cen-Del vs. Waldron, 6 p.m.
South Decatur at Edinburgh, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Oldenburg Academy vs. today’s winner, 6 p.m.
Wednesday’s winners, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7:30 p.m.
