W-U hoops off to rocky start

Published January 14, 2013 5:00pm by Josie Musico

Wellman-Union’s Wildcat hoopsters this year are (front row, left to right) Kirby Bailey, Steve Olivas, Nathaniel Steiger, Robert Steiger, (back row, left to right) Coaches Isaac Martinez and JoeBob Ussery, Kirk Martin,Vincent Tedford, Braden Caldwell, Martin Loewen, Luis Gonzales and Coach Eric Erwin.

Wellman-Union is so far winless this hoops season, but still meeting their goals of improving every game.

"We’re a very young team with a lot of first-year players and very little varsity experience, but the kids are working hard to establish a bright future at Wellman,” said head coach JoeBob Ussery.

Ussery recently traded in his red and white from Brownfield’s junior varsity squad at the beginning of this school year for some blue and gold across the county. He told the News he’s excited to be leading a pack of hard-fighting young Wildcats who make up in determination what they fall short in experience.

"They have a great attitude, they work hard and they’re willing to learn,” he said.

The ‘Cats have returned sophomores Luis Gonzales and Vincent Tedford, along with juniors Kirby Bailey and Robert Steiger.
"I’m looking forward to a great season with our new head coach,” Gonzales said.

Some newer ‘Cats already showing promise include Martin Loewen, Nathaniel Steiger, Kirk Martin, Robert Steiger and Steve Olivas.

"I’m looking forward to getting better this year,” Olivas said.

After a couple tournaments, Wellman-Union started an early district season Dec. 11 in Borden County. They lost to the Coyotes and the rest of their opponents thus far, but not through lack of effort.

"This may be one of the toughest districts in this division in the state to play,” Ussery said. 

A highlight of the season was an early-season game against Hart, in which the ‘Cats were down 4-17 at the end of the first quarter but came back to trail within four at the beginning of the third and kept it close most of the fourth, but lost by 10.
Follow Wildcat basketball all season at www.brownfieldonline.com.