Whiteland guard Jazz Banwait brings the ball upcourt during last season’s sectional final.
Daily Journal file photo
The closest perusal of last season’s scores and statistics can’t reveal one of the things that adversely affected Whiteland.
It was a team with leaders, but hardly a voice other than those belonging to head coach Nate Cangany and his assistants.
Jazz Banwait is doing his best to make sure there is no repeat.
“Last year, (Cangany) was trying to push me toward being more of a leader, but it was hard because there were still guys on the team older than me,” said Banwait, a senior guard who averaged 7.8 points a game last season as the Warriors finished 10-15.
“But I’ve known everyone on this team for so long, it comes natural to me. I feel like I know how to approach people.”
Some Whiteland players might be better equipped to handle constructive criticism from Banwait. Others are more inclined to respond to a more positive approach.
Whatever the situation, Banwait has a feel for when to punch the accelerator versus riding the brake. That could prove crucial on many fronts, particularly late-game composure.
Despite finishing five games under .500 a year ago, Whiteland averaged 58 points a game to opponents’ 57.3; eight of the Warriors’ losses were by five or fewer points.
Improved shooting, particularly down the stretch in games, would no doubt help this time around.
The Warriors are coming off a season in which they shot a frosty 56% from the free throw line. Whiteland made 45% of its field goal attempts, including 34% from behind the 3-point stripe.
“We as a unit need to do a better job of that,” Banwait said. “I think that’s probably why we lost some of those close games.”
Ethan Edwards, a 6-foot-5 junior, is also raising his game on and off the court.
Between Banwait, Edwards and potentially 6-1 senior guard Wiatt McLaughlin, who was Whiteland’s scoring leader last season, having a so-called coach on the floor won’t be an issue this time around.
It begins with Banwait.
“Last year, we had three seniors, but they were more lead-by-example guys. We lacked vocal leadership, and I think there were times when that hurt,” Cangany said. “During exit interviews after the season, I asked every player who is the guy on this team that when he speaks, you’ll listen. And Jazz was unanimous. He knows the game. He’s a competitor, but he’s also a person people look up to. Being this vocal leader has even helped him improve his game on the floor.”
Whiteland opens its season at home on Nov. 22 against Jennings County.
SCOUTING THE WARRIORS
Coach: Nate Cangany
Last season: 10-15, lost to Columbus North at Class 4A sectional
Key returnees: Jazz Banwait and Wiatt McLaughlin, seniors; Ethan Edwards and Gavin Stubbe, juniors
Top newcomers: Akol Akol and Brody Randolph, seniors; Spencer Gillespie, junior; Dane Kunz, sophomore
Outlook: The Warriors are attempting to post a double-digit win total for a fourth consecutive season. Cangany’s fifth Warriors’ squad certainly has the talent to get it done given the return of McLaughlin, Banwait and others. The 6-1 McLaughlin led the team in scoring (16.2 ppg) a year ago, followed by Banwait (7.8) and 6-5 juniors Stubbe (6.2) and Edwards (4.9). The other likely starter, the 6-6 Akol, will be expected to rebound, alter shots and knock down the occasional 3-point shot.
“I don’t want to oversell, but I’m really excited about this team,” Cangany said. “We have four guys who could average double figures for us, but we graduated three really good defenders and rebounders. We’ve got to figure out what we’re going to do at the defensive end to give us the best chance to win games.
“Nobody’s going to be talking about us, but I do feel we’ll be dangerous, especially at the offensive end.”
