players, we just need some different guys to step up here and there,” Ingram said. “Our starting five played a lot of minutes last year, and so with that experience, we are hoping to be as good or better than last year.” The biggest losses for the Warriors are in the frontcourt with the graduation of Mike Vale and Carrington Murphy. That senior duo led the way for Western down low, particularly on the glass. Last season Austin Cress shared minutes with Vale and Murphy and it will be up to him, at least very early on, to lead the way in the paint. And at 6-foot-9, he’s got the height advantage to do so. “Austin Cress is going to be really good this year,” Ingram said. “He’s worked so hard in the offseason and just gotten a lot better. He’s going make a difference for us.” Some new additions will add depth to that frontcourt as a power forward. And while Western’s strength is at guard and forward, the team’s overall height should be an advantage with seven of its 12 on the roster listed at 6-foot-3 or more. The Warriors have true scoring depth too, and when you pair that with Maynard’s ability to consistently put together a strong and fundamental defensive squad, that makes this team dangerous. Offensively, the Warriors can pick and chose what to do with Ingram. He’s a threat to spot up and shoot from anywhere on the floor and has serious range. He’s strong off the dribble and finds ways to draw contact underneath. He’s an exceptional free throw shooter. And last year we saw that he’s quite an unselfish player and more than capable of distributing to the ball all over the floor. “The scheme is really similar for me, not too different from last year, just a few new plays,” Ingram said. “I think the big difference is having to be a vocal leader because last year we had Carrington and Mike who did that as seniors. That’s a big change for me.” And if that’s really all that changes for Ingram, the Warriors should be able to pick up from where they left off last year. Part of what made Western so interesting as a team was it’s ability to get a different leading scorer from night-to-night. With senior Josh Coffman and junior Chris McGahren back in the mix, the Warriors have a trio of lights-out shooters that can connect from beyond the arc. Those two also figure to be critical in the rebounding department and finishing down low off the wing when that extra pass gets made. So with Ingram running the show once again, expect business as usual at Western. This program is consistently one of the best in Central Virginia yearafter-year and perhaps no team is responsible for more big gates, home or away. That’s a pretty serious sign of respect from the rest of the JD. But of course, it does also mean that the other seven schools are frothing at the mouth for a win over Western. If you’ve seen the Warriors play over the years, you’ll know that they like it that way. ✖

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so with that experience. we are hoping to be as good or .. better than last year. www.scrimmageplay.com ::

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