Just a year ago, the Woodland Beavers boys basketball team finished their season 3-15.
Now, they have entered a winter break tournament 7-0 after a commanding 72-49 win over the Hockinson Hawks on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
The Beavers traveled to the coast for the Seaside Holiday Classic from Thursday, Dec. 18, through Saturday, Dec. 20, with the Beavers going 1-2 in the tournament.
But after more than doubling last year’s win total, head coach Justin Gabbard said the team’s success is all thanks to time.
“We’ve worked with these guys since they were young, little guys,” Gabbard said after the Beavers’ win over the Hawks.
The roster this year is made up of four sophomores, three juniors and two seniors. Gabbard’s starting lineup consists of juniors and sophomores. The majority of the team has played together since second or third grade, he said.
“It’s been a grind, and you know, it’s still a grind,” Gabbard said. “We’re not there yet. We’re not where we want to be. It’s not time to celebrate yet. It’s time to continue to work. We can celebrate down the road one day, but we’re not there yet.”
Keeping a high standard after a 7-0 start, Gabbard said the main goal is to continue growth and for the players to continue to gel.
“Basketball and wins and losses is a byproduct of everything else you’re doing, and right now, they’re doing a really good job,” he added.
The trip to the coast is just a continuation of what a lot of the players have been doing since being in the youth program, Gabbard said. Sophomores such as Jackson Gabbard, Jackson Andrews and Dyrian McPoland played with juniors Jackson Andrews and Michael Belvin as a combined second-third grade program and enjoyed the sights and sounds of tournament basketball in Seaside, Oregon. Now, they get to continue that annual tradition in high school on the varsity squad.
“It’s a lot of fun, and that’s what we focus on, is just loving each other, man,” Gabbard said.
The Beavers will begin the new year with a road affair against non-league rival La Center High School on Friday, Jan. 2, at 7 p.m.
