The West Fork boys basketball team went 10-1 in its final 11 regular season games and soared into their first substate final appearance since 2021. The Warhawks fell in their substate final to eventual state champion North Linn.
The Warhawks also clinched a Top of Iowa Conference East title by going 15-1 in conference play. Head Coach Trent Trask says this group was one of the best he’s ever coached.
“I told them that the way they fight, the resilence, the way they never give up, is something that is going to carry them throughout their life,” says Trask. “I told them I love them. They are probably the best group of kids, if not one of the best that I have ever had the pleasure of being the coach of. Their impact on the program didn’t stop after this year, it’s going to be a trickle down effect and it’s going to carry on for years and years. Their never forgotten and their always part of the family.”
A big part of the strong culture built by the Warhawks was the uniting effort of a selfless group of seven seniors. The Warhawks had the top offense in the conference with 67.8 points and 15.9 assists per game. Trask says changing up defense responsibilities and getting into a flow helped the team settle into the second half.
“We changed up how we were defending one pass away and when defenders dribble our way. It really seemed to put kids that are handling the ball in a difficult situation because their so used to ball side on pass away, jumping in and taking away the dribble drive. We were allowing our backside help to do that and putting alot of pressure on the on-ball defender to do his job and then taking away that first pass out. So changing that up, we finally got into a flow, things were clicking, kids were sharing the ball, and confidence, brought everything together about midseason.”
They were led by Top of Iowa East first team all-conference honorees Cayde Eberling with 19.7 points and 3.6 assists per game, and Sage Suntken with 17 points and 3.2 assists per game.
West Fork closed the season at 20-5.
