WOODLAND RIDES UPBEAT START INTO TOURNAMENT

When losing in the championship game of a tournament qualifies as the low point of your season thus far, there surely are less fortunate teams to be found.

Prior to last Friday night's game against Fredericktown, the Woodland Cardinals had compiled a 5-1 record, with their only loss a 49-39 setback to Delta in the Woodland Tournament.

Woodland was given the No. 9 seed in this week's tournament and will play No. 8 Oran at 9 p.m. Friday in the opening round.

Woodland coach Jennings Wilkinson is not complaining about the Cardinals' start.

"We lost some really good players, but we had three starters coming back," said Wilkinson. "We've had some kids stepping up that I hoped would step up. So far I'm pretty pleased with the way things are going."

How well are people stepping up?

Well, Corey Yount, who comes off the bench, leads the Cardinals in scoring with 12 points per game.

Starting guards David Massey (11.7), Greg Lincoln (10.0) and Brandon Stinnett (8.0) have all provided offense while forward Jason Banderman averages 10 points. Center Nick Underwood (5.0) rounds out the starting lineup.

"I don't know if we have five starters," said Wilkinson. "We have five that are going to start. We have eight or nine guys that play a lot. Right now our biggest asset is we're working fairly hard."

In addition to Yount, The Cardinals have gotten help off the bench from Chris Lutes, Josh Lemons, Jeff Rowe and Jason Gill.

"They're not hurting us when they're going on the floor," said Wilkinson. "I'd say we're a little deeper than we've been in the past."

Woodland's victories have come against Advance, Bloomfield, Leopold, Chaffee and Bernie.

Oran will present a challenge in a game that should be evenly matched.

"I know Oran has a good team," said Wilkinson. "We'll have to play well to play with them."

The winner of that game will likely have the unenviable task of playing top-seeded Charleston.

"We need to try to win and play the best team," said Wilkinson. "We'd like a chance to play Charleston. But we're not worried about Charleston right now. I don't like to look past anyone."