On Tuesday, January 6, the Waterloo West Wahawks faced off against the Cedar Falls Tigers in a boys’ basketball matchup that did not disappoint. The game took place at Cedar Falls High School. The Wahawk starters include senior Zachary Dobbs, juniors Jay McCausland, Derrick Ackines Jr. and Zion Cook-Berns, as well as Sophomore Oliver Beckman.
Many people doubted the Wahawks’ ability to keep up with the Tigers, but fans of the Wahawks were gladly proven wrong. Although the Wahawks may have lost in a game that ended with a score of 48-64, fans can still look at this game in a positive way, seeing as the Wahawks kept a close game with the first-ranked team in the state and the tenth-ranked team nationally according to the “Rivals” website.
McCausland states, “Overall, the game went well, and there were many positives to take away from it. As a team and for myself, I think we’re still looking for a complete game where everything is clicking.”
Freshman Pernell Grover stood out in the game, leading the Wahawks in points with 14. Grover is currently second in points per game for the Wahawks, averaging 11.4 points, just behind Cook-Berns’ 14.4. Head Coach Derrick Slater notes that Cook-Berns is a player that the team can always count on. “Transitioning from a role player to our leadeing scorer, he’s an offensive presence,” he said. As a team captain, Slater notes that Cook-Berns helps lead the team in all ways. “He brings energy, effort and leadership. Zion’s work ethic and growth embody everything we want in our program.”
For the Wahawks, games against Cedar Falls have always brought an intense atmosphere between both teams. “Rivalry games bring a different level of intensity and pride. Our guys understand what it means to wear West across their chest, especially against a ranked rival. That motivation showed in our effort, our physicality, and the way we battled until the final horn,” Slater says.
