Woodward-Granger recap: Taylor headlines boys’ season
The Hawks left no doubt on the floor this season: Woodward-Granger improved by virtually every measurable — and perhaps the unseen moments — this season than last year. Jumping from one win to competing in most games, and finishing with a 10-12 record, is certainly a big accomplishment.
Now moving forward, the program has a tall task to keep this momentum going in the same direction.
Hawks Can Jump
Last season, at 1-21 overall, the Hawks were one of 38 teams that had two or fewer wins. Of those schools, only three had at least five wins this season: Chariton (10-14 record), Perry (8-15) and Woodward-Granger (10-12).
The Hawks took wins wherever they could, and typically did so with big margins.
Woodward’s average win this season was by 29 points. But on the flip side, their average loss was by 14 points. The pendulum swung both ways for WG, and it typically came down to the quality of opponent.
For the Hawks to make that step forward and return to a season with a winning record, they’ll have to win games like the 53-52 loss to Ogden (13-10). Woodward finished the season with a 2-8 record in games against teams with a winning record.
One of a Kind
Technically, it’s not a one of a kind performance if seven other Iowa high school players accomplished it this season. But without exaggeration, Austin Taylor’s triple-double goes down as one of the greatest singular performances in Woodward-Granger history.
On Jan. 30 against Pleasantville, Taylor held a line of 18 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocks to record a triple-double in a 61-38 win. It was something no one walking the halls of Woodward had seen before.
But Taylor wasn’t a one-hit wonder.
The junior averaged 3.6 blocks per game to lead all Class 2A players, adding 10.5 rebounds (ranked 7th) and 14.4 points. Accounting for his season-averaged double-double, he was one of a kind to Woodward. No Hawk has accomplished that in at least 15 years. Mike Brown was the closest in 2012 with 11.1 points and 8.3 rebounds.
Farewell, Seniors
While the Hawks are projected to retain a top talent like Taylor, this offseason is all too similar to the 2020-21 season that saw a whole row of seniors graduate and leaves the roster in disarray. The program has been looking for consistency ever since then, and the clock might be starting again.
The Hawks will sorely miss contributions from Brody Nardini and Dane Polich who each averaged over 12 points per game this season. The latter was also a rebounding machine at 7.9 boards per game alongside Carter Moran’s 6.8 points and 6.4 rebounds. Collin Nardini, Josh Hultman, Ethan Moats, Ben Jesse, Landon Bogardus and Nick Bermal also depart.
While some were bigger role players than others, it doesn’t change the fact that over 60 percent of points, rebounds and assists came from the Class of 2023. Isolate Taylor’s stats as well, the Hawks’ remaining varsity players averaged 3.2 points per game.
That’s the task ahead for the Hawks: Not only expand roles, but create new ones now that depth chart has been recycled again.
This article originally appeared on Perry Chief: Woodward-Granger recap: Taylor headlines boys’ season
