Boys basketball preview: Top scorers return for Auburndale

Auburndale guard Logan Willfahrt returns for the Apaches this season as they try to improve on a nine-win 2015-16 season. (Photo by Paul Lecker/MarshfieldAreaSports.com)
Auburndale guard Logan Willfahrt returns for the Apaches this season as they try to improve on a nine-win 2015-16 season. (Photo by Paul Lecker/MarshfieldAreaSports.com)

This story is sponsored by Victory Apparel

By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com

AUBURNDALE – The Auburndale boys basketball team suffered through a rare losing season in 2015-16, but in the meantime a number of players gained valuable experience that should have the Apaches back on the upswing this year.

Five players, including three of the team’s top scorers from a year ago, return for Auburndale, which went just 9-13 overall and 3-9 in the Marawood Conference South Division last season.

Head coach Chad Weinfurtner, who has a 153-45 record in his previous seven seasons for the Apaches, has four seniors back, including his son Caleb Weinfurter, who led the team in scoring last year at 11.4 points per game and was a second-team all-Marawood South selection.

Luke Olsen (8 points per game), Collin Hawkins (4.8 points, 5.3 rebounds per game), and Logan Willfahrt also return for their seniors seasons. Sophomore Colton Wright is also back in the starting lineup after scoring 8.3 points and grabbing four rebounds a game after being elevated the varsity for the second half of last year.

“We expect to compete for a conference title,” coach Chad Weinfurter said. “We have a lot of experience back and our newcomers played well this summer. We should be a solid shooting team. Our defense and rebounding will be keys to our success.”

Juniors Cason Schmutzer, Cameron Ertl, Colten Yeske and Cale Jacoby, and freshman Cooper Weinfurter will also be looking to contribute as well for the Apaches.

“We should be fairly deep and versatile,” Chad Weinfurter said. “The competition for playing time will be fierce because we have a lot of kids who put in time in the offseason. Competition makes us all better.”

Auburndale opens its season at home against Marshfield Columbus Catholic on Tuesday.