Warriors Ready to Hustle

When Tonawanda Warriors varsity basketball coach Hank Hughes asked why he named seniors Zach Stapf and Chuck Moore his two captains his answer was quick and to the point.

“They just hustle,” Hughes said.

It may not sound like much, but those three little words embody exactly what Hughes wants to see from his team this year. Hard work. Hustle. No quit. While a third captain will be selected via a team vote Hughes said that he felt it was vital that the first two captains be kids who already demonstrate the traits he wants to see in leaders.

“First off they were here last year and they showed up all the time. They showed a sense of caring. They’re very enthused,” Hughes said.

“They’re two guys who have been mature and leaders with the younger guys.”

And that Stapf and Moore, without question, show on a daily basis what he wants to see from everyone.

“When coach named us captains he told us that we have to keep the team on track. Make sure that they give 100 percent in everything that they do. And that’s what me and Chuck have been doing,” said Zach Stapf, the Warriors’ point guard.

“We’ve been on people making sure that they’re coming here and coming here to work. Instead of just messing around. Because it is varsity basketball.”

Coming into the 2016-17 season the Warriors are looking to improve on their 6-15 season. Moore and Stapf absolutely feel that the talent to succeed is there. It’s their responsibility to make sure everyone stays focused and working their hardest.

“There’s great chemistry on the team,” said Chuck Moore, who will play forward/center.

“Everyone’s good friends. The most exciting part for me is everyone gives it 100 percent every single day. Every practice. Every drill.”

Rounding out the Warriors projected starters are seniors Nick Bitter (two-guard), Trey Lilly, who will play in the three spot, and power forward Collin Smith whose gritty play will be key in getting rebounds and loose balls.

Owen Baker, Hayden Lilly, James Regdos, Marc Titterington, Naz Gonzalez, Khristian Velazquez, Guage Considine, Josh Mouton and Henry Palermo complete the Tonawanda roster.

Hughes said that while last year’s team was made up of good players who were nice kids, this year’s group seems to have that intrinsic quality of being driven to be the best. And it shows in everything that they do.

“I think this group is extremely hard working,” Hughes said. “Not the most talented like the last few years. But I think that there’s no doubt that every day in practice you can see they’re pretty intense. They battle. They listen like crazy. They’re very attentive.”