Washington School boys basketball coach David Rounsavall is fiercely competitive, but he said he realized even before this season began that the success of his team would not be based on wins and losses.
It would be based, Rounsavall said, on how his players progressed throughout the season. It would be based on the little steps of improvement made by his team after each practice and game. The Generals won three games this year and had their season come to an end Wednesday night with a loss to Heritage Academy in the opening round of the Class 4A North State Tournament.
Rounsavall took a lot of pride in watching players like senior Jacob Bomgardner grow right before his eyes.
“Jacob was a kid who had not gotten to play the last three years, but he never complained, and he never missed a day of practice. He just showed up every day and kept working hard to get better,” the General coach said.
Perhaps the biggest highlight of the season, Rounsavall said, was watching Bomgardner catch fire from long distance and make seven three-point baskets in the Generals’ victory over Indianola Academy. Bomgardner also made five three-point baskets in another game.
Rounsavall said he was also pleased with the other three seniors on his squad this season; Matthew Wicker, Joe Wilkerson and Nathan Bass.
“Even though they did not have a lot of experience, all of the seniors had incredibly positive attitudes throughout the season,” Rounsavall said.
Along with his seniors, Rounsavall said he was also proud of the General underclassmen.
“I have been at this for a long time. I coached football for 22 years, and I have coached basketball for the last 11 years,” the coach said. “If you do it long enough, you are going to see both sides of it. Everyone loves to coach the Division 1 athletes, and so do I. But, I also enjoy the years like this one where the kids never gave up.”
With this season now in the books, the Washington coach said he is already looking forward to next season, especially since two of his better players, Peyton McPherson and Kell Hodges, will be returning.
McPherson was the Generals leading scorer this season, and Rounsavall said he expects him only to get bigger and stronger for his senior campaign.
Hodges, meanwhile, has been unable to play since a leg injury sidelined him in early January. Hodges is expected to make a complete recovery in time for next season.
