Leadership major factor in successful WP girls’ season

    Starting off the season with four returning starters, two more letterwinners and a couple freshman ready to step up, Wauneta-Palisade girls’ basketball coach Matt Cox said there are times a similar situation would have caused jealousy among team members.
    That wasn’t the case for this year’s 17-9 Broncos.
    Looking back on the season, Cox said what he will remember most about this team is how much they all loved each other.
    “They loved to see someone having a big game and were completely unselfish. That’s not a very common trait anymore. Team success over individual success is how great teams are built and thats the thing I enjoyed the most about this group,” he said.
    Cox praised his seniors.
    “They had great attitudes everyday, they wanted to be competitive, but my favorite part was how they settled into their roles on the team,” he said.
    Cox said Kendra Bley was the most quiet one on the team and despite having some struggles along the way, her attitude was always good.
    “She did everything we asked her to do in practice everyday, and sometimes that’s a tough thing for a senior to do, but she accepted that role and did it with a smile,” Cox said.
    Zoey Boos is one of the toughest defenders he’s coached, according to Cox.
    Defensively, Cox said Boos got the responsibility of chasing the other team’s best players every night and, while not an easy assignment, she loved the challenge.
    Offensively, there were times Cox was begging Boos to shoot the ball more but she was perfectly content to be the point guard, pass it around, defend and rebound.
    “On top of that, I could leave her in for an entire game and she’d never ask for a break. Her ability to run forever is actually pretty amazing,” he added.
    Haylee Sandman led WP in scoring with 11.5 points per game and tied for first in steals, while being second in rebounding with 7.2 per game.
    Cox credited Sandman with a really great career.
    “I’ve had a lot of girls over the years with a great attitudes, but most people have a bad day once in awhile, not Haylee,” he said.
    She’s not only one of the most positive people he’s ever been around, but, Cox said, she always wanted what was best for the team.
    “All smiles all the time, unselfish and very coachable. She was a great teammate and I know the underclassmen are going to miss her leadership next year,” Cox said.
    Cox said Payton Yearous probably had the hardest role for the Broncos this season.
    A senior who is the first guard to come off the bench isn’t a glamorous role, and it’s hard to do, Cox said.

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