Scouting Westminster Christian boys basketball
Westminster Christian Warriors
Coach: Bruce Firchau (seventh season at Westminster Christian, 101-66; career 484-404)
Last year: 22-6, 8-1, second in Northeast Athletic Conference; lost 46-43 to Genoa-Kingston in Class 2A Plano regional final
Top players: senior Josh Beachler (6-3, F), Colton Jeralds (5-11, F), juniors Colin Brandon (6-0, G), Nick Gnan (5-10, G), Jon Janik (5-9, G), Tim Rodgers (6-0, F/C), Aaron Wiewel (6-0, F), Will Woodhouse (6-0, G); freshmen Sam Carani (6-3, F), Robert Kleczynski (6-1, F)
Scouting report: Life in the post-Ian Dutcher era begins for the Warriors, who graduated their top scorer and rebounder from a year ago. In fact, the top four scorers graduated from a team that won 22 games and narrowly missed winning the school's first regional title in Class 2A. This team is entering rebuilding mode, though the Warriors should remain relatively competitive thanks to senior forward Josh Beachler and junior guard Will Woodhouse. Beachler is the last in a line of three athletic brothers who have excelled for the Warriors in multiple sports. Woodhouse has talent, too. "He could be a very special player for us," Warriors coach Bruce Firchau said. "He's a real threat offensively." So is Colin Brandon, Woodhouse's cousin. Brandon dedicated hours of his summer to improve, Firchau said. He can handle the ball, score and play defense. Expect the bulk of the scoring to come from those three. The Warriors will miss Dutcher's 6-8 presence, but two budding freshmen join the team. Sam Carani is already 6-foot-3 and Robert Kleczynski is 6-1. Firchau has high hopes for Carani, whose brothers played in the program. "I think by the time he graduates he could be as good a player as has ever come through Westminster," Firchau said. "I think he has the work ethic and desire and he's coachable like his brothers. He's already playing like he's a sophomore and he can play three spots." Carani, like all freshmen, needs to build strength. Kleczynski gives the program bookend forwards for the next four years. Rogers is a determined competitor, according to his coach, who likes to run the floor and rebound. Wiewel has missed time in the preseason due to a toe injury but is expected to be ready for the opener of the Westminster Christian Thanksgiving Tournament next week. Jon Janik was home schooled until this year but is adjusting well to team play. The rebuilding process is in capable hands with Firchau, who previously rebuilt programs at Oswego, Harvard and Dundee-Crown. "Nobody has done this more than I have," said the hall of fame coach. "Sometimes it's like sitting in a dentist chair without the novacaine or the gas. At times we'll be stuck in neutral. At other times we'll take pretty good steps."