The boys varsity basketball team from Wellington High School is positioning itself for another regular season with 20-plus wins and a deep run in the postseason, but it won’t be easy.
After 15 games, Wellington has a 12-3 record. Despite the strong regular season to date, WHS head basketball coach Matt Colin has yet to settle on a consistent starting five.
“Not every game has had the same starters, but the consistent group has been Rashard Reinhardt, Dakota Izard, Jeremy Tovar, Tor-El Robinson and Bryan Demyan,” said Colin, who has a squad of 13 players, six of whom are returning lettermen from last year’s team.
One of the aspects of this year’s team that Colin appreciates is everybody’s mental toughness.
“What I like about this team is their competitive nature and their relentless drive to battle until the end,” said Colin, now in his 17th year as Wellington’s head coach. “Their determination gives us a chance every night, and that’s something special about this group.”
One of the team’s early season wins was against crosstown rival, Palm Beach Central High School, which is having a great season, too, with an 11-2 record after 13 games. When Wellington hosted Palm Beach Central on Dec. 13, Wellington prevailed by four points, 47-43. The two teams will meet again on Friday, Jan. 17 at Palm Beach Central.
Since both teams are in the same district (Class 7A, District 8), there’s a good chance that they will meet again in the postseason district tournament final in early February. And then, both teams could possibly play each other for a fourth time in the regionals in mid-February. It’s a reflection of the current quality of high school basketball in Wellington.
According to Colin, the focal point of his attention in practice is trying to get every player to make the right decision at the right time in every game.
“We are working on reading the defense and making the right decision, whether that’s passing, shooting or driving,” Colin said. “We’re also focused on processing the game quicker, recognizing the open man, and delivering timely passes to set up teammates for scoring opportunities. And we are also mentally processing seeing the open man quicker.”
Colin is also focused on trying to improve each player’s shot selection and unselfish play.
As the season continues, Colin will be looking to his three co-captains — Lucas Moore, Manny Hernandez and Tor-El Robinson — to lead by example in practice and in games so the team can pursue yet another deep postseason run, which is traditionally the norm for Colin and his Wolverine basketball teams.
