Setting the stage for defending NECC, NECC Tournament and Sectional titles is a team built around speed and skill. With four returning starters — Kaden Grau, Austin Schlabach, Daniel Yoder, and Kaine Reinhold — the foundation is already in place for a run at retaining all of their crowns. The challenge will be integrating several new faces while maintaining the up-tempo, guard-driven identity that has made this group so dangerous.
Senior Kaden Grau returns as one of the program’s most experienced leaders, coming off a season in which he averaged 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. Known for his composure and shooting touch, Grau provides both stability and scoring when games tighten late. His leadership and understanding of the team’s offensive rhythm make him an invaluable asset in a lineup filled with athletic guards. He had a pretty explosive offseason and really amped up his game using his size and aggression well.
Alongside him, junior Austin Schlabach is expected to take another major leap after averaging 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists a season ago. Schlabach’s blend of playmaking and versatility allows him to dictate tempo, create off the dribble, and find open teammates in transition. His energy and ability to impact the game in multiple ways make him a catalyst for the team’s fast-paced offense.
Daniel Yoder, another returning junior guard, gives the team even more depth and balance. After averaging 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game, Yoder has proven he can do a little bit of everything. He’s a strong rebounder for his position and has the court vision to complement Schlabach and Grau in the backcourt, forming one of the most well-rounded trios in the area.
In the frontcourt, junior Kaine Reinhold returns as a steady and physical presence after missing some of last season injured. Though his averages of 3 points and 2 rebounds per game may not tell the full story, Reinhold’s value lies in his willingness to defend, box out, and handle the dirty work that allows the guards to thrive. Senior Brett Springer also returns as a veteran contributor who understands the program’s expectations and intensity.
Among the mostly newcomers are junior Pierce Yoder, senior Austin Troyer, and promising underclassmen Bryce Yoder, Cooper Schwartz and Hudson Yoder that bring depth and competition to practices. The coaching staff believes that if this group adjusts quickly to the varsity level, it will give the team the flexibility to stay aggressive, push tempo, and keep fresh legs on the floor throughout the season.
Graduates Owen Brill and Kamden Yoder leave behind leadership and production that helped shape last year’s team identity, but this new version looks ready to take another step forward. The overall team strength lies in its speed and skilled guard play, allowing for a high-octane offense capable of breaking down defenses in a variety of ways.
The biggest focus early on will be getting the younger players acclimated to the pace and physicality of varsity basketball. If that growth happens quickly, this team has the experience, leadership, and talent to compete at a high level. With goals of winning both a conference and sectional championship, this year’s squad has the tools and mentality to turn that ambition into reality.
“We will have a strong returning varsity core. If we want to be as good or better than last year, we will need our new-to-varsity players to defend and shoot well. I think they will be able to do that and this should be an exciting year,” said coach Chandler Prible.
WHY #3?
Westview was just shy of dominant in the NECC a year ago. While there were hiccups along the way, they tore through the conference tournament and their postseason success shows that it is a program built on consistency – winning the last three Sectional crowns.
Very few teams in the area can boast having back so many pieces, let alone to many valuable and high end pieces that have big game experience.
The boosting of their schedule in recent years only helps. While the NECC has provided some fun matchups and challenges, having opponents like Leo and Blackhawk Christian on the schedule has toughened this group up substantially.
KEY GAME
December 19 vs Angola
This was a fun one a year ago and this time, it is the first challenge in the NECC where the top 5-6 teams could all beat each other depending on the night. The conference got a little wild last year at the top and could do so again.
The first step in helping avoid that for Westview is to take a win here and especially if they can do it in convincing fashion. Angola is a team that can match the physicality and tempo of the Warriors, so this isn’t just a test, it legitimately could end up being the game that decides the NECC when everything shakes out in the end.
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