WEATHERFORD —
A brief look at the Weatherford Kangaroo varsity basketball roster illustrates very quickly that the team is not lacking in one respect — the squad has an abundance of youth. And while the presence of the underclassmen may bode well for the future, the challenge to scale the learning curve for the 2012-13 business at hand is the most immediate concern for Weatherford head coach Terry Ferguson.
“There is still a lot of teaching ongoing to overcome the considerable youth we have on this team,” Ferguson said. “I think we have made good steps in that direction, but there is still work to do.
“We’re rebounding well and playing decent defense. We’re getting to the foul line with regularity, and our perimeter shooting is nice.”
One of the telling points of a basketball teams’ efficiency is the assist-to-turnover ration, which Ferguson would like to see improve to cut down the errors on the offensive end of the court.
“Our execution and overall knowledge of the game is behind where it needs to be,” he said. “But I feel good about the team moving forward.
“They are all definitely hard workers and are anxious to improve through the hard work.”
With some size on the roster this year, a glaring absence on the court in the past couple of seasons for the Roos, Ferguson is looking to add the element to the Weatherford scheme.
Junior Ryan Merrill is a 6-4 post, backed up by 6-5 sophomore James Robinson. Both will work the lane to command opposing defenders’ attention, something the Roos have been without of late.
But, as (bad) luck would have it, the Roos will not be at full strength to kickoff their district slate, due to a handful of injuries.
“We will most assuredly get healthier over the holiday break, but to begin our district schedule, we will not have the full squad available to us,” Ferguson said. “But [the injuries] won’t keep us from improving on those little things you have to learn to make the offense more efficient.
“The flip side of that is that the younger players have been and will continue to get more reps in practice and in games, so they will get some additional experience they need. We try to keep the glass half full by looking at those positives.”
Ferguson looks to senior Cody Chandler for leadership on the youth-laden squad, and has not been disappointed with the 5-11 guard’s contribution to the team. Chandler is one of the handful of players that has been relegated to the sideline for the time being, due to injury.
“Cody’s leadership and intensity makes a big difference,” Ferguson said. “He knows the game and makes everyone play that much harder. He is a catalyst for this team, leading by example with his hustle.
“He is also quite vocal, and even from the bench he helps the guys, but it’s not quite the same as when he is out there with them.”
Ferguson said that Chandler is still questionable for Tuesday’s district opener, but is hopeful the senior’s presence will be enjoyed by his teammates on the court.
Bowie, who has gone deep into the state playoffs the past couple of seasons, looks to be the bell cow for District 3-5A, but Ferguson and the Roos would love to get the Vols district season off to a rocky start. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m., after the Lady Roos’ game.
Weatherford Kangaroos
2012-13 District 3-5A Schedule
Tues, Dec. 18 Arlington Bowie 7:30 p.m.
Fri, Dec. 21 @ Arlington Martin 7:30 p.m.
Fri, Jan. 4 Arlington 7:30 p.m.
Tues, Jan. 8 Ft. Worth Paschal 7:30 p.m.
Fri, Jan. 11 @ North Crowley 7:30 p.m.
Tues, Jan. 15 Arlington Lamar 7:30 p.m.
Fri, Jan. 18 @Arl. Sam Houston 7:30 p.m.
Tues, Jan. 22 @ Arlington Bowie 7:30 p.m.
Fri, Jan. 25 Arlington Martin 7:30 p.m.
Tues, Jan. 29 @ Arlington 7:30 p.m.
Fri, Feb. 1 @ Ft. Worth Paschal 7:30 p.m.
Tues, Feb. 5 North Crowley 7:30 p.m.
Fri, Feb. 8 @ Arlington Lamar 7:30 p.m.
Tues, Feb. 12 *Arl. Sam Houston 7:30 p.m.
* — Senior Night
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