WOODLAND HOPES TO GET OVER LINGERING HEALTH PROBLEMS BY START OF TOURNAMENT

Woodland coach Jennings Wilkinson thinks the Cardinals will have a solid team this season -- as long as they can recover from several injuries and illnesses that have hampered them severely during the early part of the campaign.

"Our biggest concern is we've got to get some people healthy. We've had some injuries and then the flu bug really hit us," said Wilkinson. "We haven't had our full squad all season. For a while, we didn't even have 10 players to practice and that has really hurt us."

Wilkinson is anticipating having everybody back for the Cardinals' first-round U-High Tournament game at 9 p.m. Monday as ninth-seeded Woodland takes on eighth-seeded Leopold.

"Hopefully we'll have everybody back and ready to go by then," he said.

Overall, Wilkinson has been fairly pleased with Woodland's 4-3 start, considering the Cardinals have been shorthanded for several games.

"I probably feel our record could be a little better, but we've played some good teams. All three losses were to quality clubs," he said. "But the biggest thing is to get some of our key people back. I think when we get everybody back, we'll be all right.

"I feel like we're doing okay with all the stuff we've been going through. I still have high expectations. I think the best part of our season is ahead of us."

Among the injured have been Jared Houtchins, who has missed every game because of a broken collarbone; and Paul Long, who has missed the past two contests with an injured back.

"Both are supposed to be back for the tournament," Wilkinson said. "Having Jared back will help. He's one of our most athletic players and he hasn't played a game yet."

Jason Greer has been the Cardinals' leading scorer at about 15 points per game, followed closely by C.W. Stacy at 14 points per contest. Other starters have been Long (10 ppg before his injury), Matt Cutsinger (10 ppg) and Ryan Bandermann (8 ppg).

Seeing considerable time off the bench have been Todd Wesbecher, Chris Masters, Dale Jones and Joey Grippo.

Wilkinson said all his players are looking forward to the tournament, which is annually one of the highlights of Woodland's season.

"It's probably one of our most favorite things of the year, besides districts," he said. "It's kind of a of big-time atmosphere at the Show Me Center and the players really enjoy it. It's a highlight of the season."

Wilkinson expects a very competitive first-round game against Leopold, especially considering the teams have already split a pair of meetings this year.

"They're a good team and it should be a good game," Wilkinson said.