Team of the Week: Pewamo-Westphalia off to an undefeated start

WESTPHALIA, Mich. (WLNS) – After a big season last year in which they made it all the way to MHSAA state semi-final, Pewamo-Westphalia boys basketball team has started the season undefeated with a 4-0 record.

This season the Pirates have their sights on going even further and completing their ultimate goal of winning the division three state title.

“Losing in the semifinals fueled us all summer and we used that as good fuel to keep going harder each day but now it’s time to flip the page in a sense,” explained Pewamo-Westphalia basketball coach Dominic Schnieder. “Yeah we have that experience yeah we have that hunger but we’re excited to build a new team here. Obviously we have the guys we just have to figure out the puzzle pieces and put it together,” he added.

Pirates senior guard Grady Eklund who signed to play with Northwood University, knows nothing will come easy for his team this season but says his squad is willing to do what it takes to accomplish every goal they have on their wall.

“There’s a lot of goals to get there,” said Eklund. “Of course the conference and then you got districts, regional and quarters but you got to focus on the present first. Win all the CMAC games, try to win a couple non-conference games and then just move on from there.”

After Pewamo-Westphalia’s win over Lansing Christian on December 12th, Schneider notched his 100th win as head coach but he gives the credit for his success to his players and staff for their hard work over that time.

“It’s definitely gratifying,” said Schneider. “I mean i grew up in this community. As a kid I looked up to all the players and even coach (Luke) Pohl and all that. I took so much from all those guys. I’ve said it many times it isn’t a me thing, it’s definitely a program thing,” he explained. “So proud of all the coaches from our freshman coaches, JV coaches to our assistant coaches on varsity.”

Pewamo-Westphalia will be back in action on Friday night when they face Saranac.

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