If everyone likes an underdog, then they should really love an ‘underwolf’.

The Woodcreek Timberwolves boys basketball team is looking to improve on their fifth-place finish in the Sierra Foothill League from 2012-13.

Coach Paul Hayes, who enters his 23rd season at Woodcreek and third straight year since a 2003-04 hiatus, leads Woodcreek into the 2013-14 campaign. He said he expects the Timberwolves to improve on their 12-15 season from a year ago that surrendered just three conference triumphs.

It won’t be easy. Woodcreek lost five seniors from last year’s squad, but returns three starters —Noah Blackwell (guard), Nick Howe (guard) and James Faupusa (forward).  Hayes is expecting the three to tackle vital leadership roles for the program this year.

“Their experience and ability is how they will best lead the team,” Hayes said. “Howe and Blackwell have been on varsity for three years. Both Nick and Noah have an uncanny ability to read the court.

“James does a great job getting to the basket and is also a good outside shooter.”

Hayes said team depth should aid the program’s cause, pointing to even talent that extends all the way down the 15-man roster. This depth will be utilized often in the SFL season.

“The games are always tightly contested,” Hayes said. “And often times the players with the freshest legs win out in the end. “

According to Hayes, what accompanies his depth is fierce competition; meaning that it’s anyone’s game regardless of who is on the floor.

Woodcreek will look to their athleticism and youth in transition as they run the court with intensity.

“If we can get on the same page,” Howe, senior, said. “I feel like we’ll be good.”

The fountain of youth at Woodcreek could also lead to mishaps on the court as the program slugs through a tough schedule. Many of the players lack varsity experience and the team doesn’t sport a roster of Amateur Athletic Union superstars. They will need to grow up fast.

“The speed at the varsity level is much greater than JV,” Hayes said, “So it often takes players a bit to adjust.”

Hayes said he believes that this group has the ability to get over the hump and adjust quickly to the speed of the varsity level. His players agree.

“I’m happy about the youth,” Blackwell, junior, said, “We can carry it over to next year and for the push to Sleep Train (the home site of the Sac-Joaquin Section championships).”

New faces will be pivotal in the extended success of the team. The team welcomes junior guard Donn Corbin, who missed the 2012 season to recover from an ACL/MCL injury from the fall football season.

“[Corbin] seems to be fully recovered with just occasional tightness, soreness,” Hayes said, “Donn is a gamer. He is tough and will work through any early season issues and play a key role for us.”

Malcolm Thomas, a star receiver on the football team, could also emerge into a big role. Grady Collins and Drew Vaterlaus hope for more of the same.

It’s a group with promise and they run in a pack.

Woodcreek will take on Chavez of Stockton in the Sac-Joaquin Section Invitational at Cosumnes River College on Saturday, Nov. 30.

Source:  http://www.thepresstribune.com/article/youth-depth-lead-woodcreek-boys-prep-basketball-season