DARLINGTON - Junior Will Schwartz practiced creating his own shot and driving to the rim in the summer, knowing he would have a larger role with the Darlington High School boys basketball team during the winter.
He didn't know how much his role would change. When junior Hunter Johnson suffered a broken fibula in the WIAA Division 6 state championship football game, Schwartz became more of a focal point on the basketball court even before his first practice.
Schwartz is being relied on to score more this season. He's leading the Redbirds, averaging 13.6 points per game.
He is one of the big reasons the Redbirds have had success. Darlington owns a 17-5 record and earned a No. 3 seed in the WIAA tournament.
"I'm just trying to let it come to me," Schwartz said. "I have taken more shots than I usually do. We knew we wouldn't have Hunter back for a long time this season, and we have just tried to play team basketball. He's always out there as a motivational type. If he sees something on the bench he will let us know.
"It's not just me stepping up. The other guys on the team have helped me get it done. It's a team effort."
Last year, Schwartz averaged 7.3 ppg and often would enter the game and hit some key 3-pointers for the Redbirds.
"Will is in a much different role," Darlington coach Mike Hopkins said. "He has been looked to score. Last year he was our third- or fourth-leading scorer. He has really stepped up."
Hopkins credits Schwartz for his flexibility.
"He can play multiple positions," Hopkins said. "He can play point guard and forward.
"We have four or five guys who can all handle the ball depending on who gets the rebound."
Schwartz spent time in the summer working on his jump shot and creating his shot off the dribble, anticipating he would be more of a leader on the offensive end. He's shooting 39.7 percent from 3-point range and had a career-high 20 points in a game earlier this year.
"Last year most of my points came on 3s," Schwartz said. "I worked on my 3-point shot a lot in the summer. I worked a lot on going to the rim. This year I have been able to get to the rim more or do a pullup to get myself a look."
Schwartz, who is 6-foot-1, has a knack for playing defense. He uses his quickness and length to his advantage, trying to create steals.
"He definitely has long arms," Hopkins said.
Schwartz takes pride in playing stout defense.
"It's always good to score," Schwartz said. "You have to do it on defense if you want to win the game. I will do whatever I can to help the team."
After a first-round bye today, Darlington will play the winner of Cambridge and Waterloo in a regional semifinal Friday.
"We need to play solid defense and get out and run," he said. "When we get away from that is when we have a hard time."
The Redbirds have lost tough nonconference games to Dodgeville, Shullsburg and Barneveld and twice to SWAL rival Iowa-Grant.
"The competition we played nonconference helped get us ready for conference," Schwartz said. "We knew the conference would be tough this year."
Johnson may return for the Redbirds. He tried returning twice this season, but Hopkins said he has muscle and nerve tissue that is inflamed.
Schwartz understands the Redbirds have a strong team on the court. He also knows the prominent role Johnson could play in the tournament.
"We really do miss Hunter's physical part," Schwartz said. "He's a good athlete and rebounder. We might be able to get him back soon."
Darlington was able to pull out a 64-63 win Feb. 22 over New Glarus, which is a team in the Redbirds' half of the sectional.
"New Glarus made a comeback and were really pressuring us at the end of the game," Schwartz said. "It really helped to have a game like that with a playoff atmosphere."
Schwartz doesn't expect the Redbirds to just walk into the sectional and a rematch with Iowa-Grant.
"There will not be any easy games," he said. "Hopefully, we can make a deep run."
He didn't know how much his role would change. When junior Hunter Johnson suffered a broken fibula in the WIAA Division 6 state championship football game, Schwartz became more of a focal point on the basketball court even before his first practice.
Schwartz is being relied on to score more this season. He's leading the Redbirds, averaging 13.6 points per game.
He is one of the big reasons the Redbirds have had success. Darlington owns a 17-5 record and earned a No. 3 seed in the WIAA tournament.
"I'm just trying to let it come to me," Schwartz said. "I have taken more shots than I usually do. We knew we wouldn't have Hunter back for a long time this season, and we have just tried to play team basketball. He's always out there as a motivational type. If he sees something on the bench he will let us know.
"It's not just me stepping up. The other guys on the team have helped me get it done. It's a team effort."
Last year, Schwartz averaged 7.3 ppg and often would enter the game and hit some key 3-pointers for the Redbirds.
"Will is in a much different role," Darlington coach Mike Hopkins said. "He has been looked to score. Last year he was our third- or fourth-leading scorer. He has really stepped up."
Hopkins credits Schwartz for his flexibility.
"He can play multiple positions," Hopkins said. "He can play point guard and forward.
"We have four or five guys who can all handle the ball depending on who gets the rebound."
Schwartz spent time in the summer working on his jump shot and creating his shot off the dribble, anticipating he would be more of a leader on the offensive end. He's shooting 39.7 percent from 3-point range and had a career-high 20 points in a game earlier this year.
"Last year most of my points came on 3s," Schwartz said. "I worked on my 3-point shot a lot in the summer. I worked a lot on going to the rim. This year I have been able to get to the rim more or do a pullup to get myself a look."
Schwartz, who is 6-foot-1, has a knack for playing defense. He uses his quickness and length to his advantage, trying to create steals.
"He definitely has long arms," Hopkins said.
Schwartz takes pride in playing stout defense.
"It's always good to score," Schwartz said. "You have to do it on defense if you want to win the game. I will do whatever I can to help the team."
After a first-round bye today, Darlington will play the winner of Cambridge and Waterloo in a regional semifinal Friday.
"We need to play solid defense and get out and run," he said. "When we get away from that is when we have a hard time."
The Redbirds have lost tough nonconference games to Dodgeville, Shullsburg and Barneveld and twice to SWAL rival Iowa-Grant.
"The competition we played nonconference helped get us ready for conference," Schwartz said. "We knew the conference would be tough this year."
Johnson may return for the Redbirds. He tried returning twice this season, but Hopkins said he has muscle and nerve tissue that is inflamed.
Schwartz understands the Redbirds have a strong team on the court. He also knows the prominent role Johnson could play in the tournament.
"We really do miss Hunter's physical part," Schwartz said. "He's a good athlete and rebounder. We might be able to get him back soon."
Darlington was able to pull out a 64-63 win Feb. 22 over New Glarus, which is a team in the Redbirds' half of the sectional.
"New Glarus made a comeback and were really pressuring us at the end of the game," Schwartz said. "It really helped to have a game like that with a playoff atmosphere."
Schwartz doesn't expect the Redbirds to just walk into the sectional and a rematch with Iowa-Grant.
"There will not be any easy games," he said. "Hopefully, we can make a deep run."
