— By Taylor Kennedy
WINFIELD, W.Va. — The Winfield Generals used another strong defensive showing to race past Wayne, 63-44, on Thursday.
It is the third time in five games Winfield has held its opponent to 50 points or less, while the 44 allowed to the Pioneers marks a season low in points allowed by the Generals.
Still, Winfield head coach Chris Stephens sees plenty for his team to clean up.
“Wayne came out ready to play,” Stephens said. “We did not do a whole lot what we talked about in the scouting report. We are not there in the mental aspect to win those big games.”
The Generals (5-0) have a tough upcoming schedule, including playing North Marion next Tuesday and at Logan on January 11. Stephens is hopeful to see more from his team in the near future.
“We need to keep spreading the scoring around,” Stephens said. “We have had five different guys be the leading scorer, which is a positive for us. Defensively, we have to guard better in the half court than we have already.
“Up until tonight’s game, I thought we have played hard every game. We have been engaged in every game we have played. I don’t know if it was holiday looming, but Wayne came out and played hard.”
Ten Winfield players scored, which Stephens hopes to see more of as they head into 2022.
“We have 10 guys that can have legit minutes, especially those guys 11 through 15 that can contribute,” Stephens said. “Everybody has to be engaged for that one goal for the team to win. Everybody has to be happy when we get a win or someone scores.”
Winfield’s defense caused havoc and created numerous Wayne turnovers. The Pioneers (5-2) committed 18 turnovers, including 13 in the first half.
Winfield’s defensive enthusiasm is what kept the Generals flowing offensively. Senior Seth Shilot recorded three blocks.
“We picked up the energy, and that goes a long way,” Stephens noted. “I told the starting five, before they went back in the second quarter, that for the next three minutes they have something to prove.
“They had to come out with higher energy, which is what they did.”
Junior Ross Musick recorded 12 points, including 10 in the first half. His growth has not gone unnoticed by Stephens and his coaching staff.
“He has a high motor and high IQ,” Stephens said. “He is a kid that will do anything you ask of him. He is always engaged. Sometimes I have to tell him to shoot more. There are times where he plays hard, which we need to get him out to get a breather because he does all the right things. He is an overall team guy. If we can get everyone else buying into that process, we can be a special team.”
Junior Tanner Laughery was tied with Musick in scoring. Laughery tallied 12 points. He scored six points in each half. Stephens has been impressed at how far he has come.
“He has been a guy that we have seen potential in,” Stephens noted. “I think him playing football has given him a better body and more physical and gave him more confidence. He has been one of the guys that we rely on. He could be a starter, but he is a guy that is coming off the bench, but gives us that scoring and energy.”
Wayne’s Ike Meddings led all scorers with 18 points on six 3-pointers. Meddings was the lone Pioneer to score in double-figures.