Will Howell is the leading point-scorer in this year’s Waratah League but personal statistics matter little to the teenager.
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While he’s having plenty of fun being back with the Dubbo Rams he would much rather focus on turning things around on the court rather than discuss his personal achievements.
Nineteen-year-old Howell has made a stunning return to basketball after some time away from the game and has been a shining light in what has been an otherwise disappointing start to the season.
The Rams have won just once from the opening five rounds, putting pressure on the side ahead of this weekend’s trip to Wagga.
“I had a couple of years off so I’ve enjoyed coming back and playing with a great bunch of blokes who have fun on the court,” he said of his own game, before turning his attention to Wagga.
“Everyone is still feeling good and has high hopes for the season and we’re training every week. No one is down but we do a bit of video review after each game and everyone can see why we’re losing.
“We can pinpoint what’s going wrong.”
And for Howell, the issue has been the way his side has started.
Long road trips on match days have made it hard for the Rams to launch into games so this week the Rams are heading to Wagga the night before the game.
One reason was for some team bonding and continued integration of the new players – namely Howell, Adam Ward, Martin Iti and Steve Hall – but also to ensure everyone is fresh for the game at 7pm on Saturday.
“I think we need to get into the game better in the first couple of quarters,” Howell said.
“We’ve started slowly and then things have swung our way in the third quarter when we’ve been down by 15 or 20 so if we start better we should be fine.”
While the likes of Iti and Hall are much older players and vastly experienced figures, Howell has developed into one of the real leaders for the Rams.
Coach Bart Sykes has been vocal in his praise for the way the teenager directs the side around and Howell himself has been more than happy to take the role on.
“I don’t mind that little bit of pressure to lead,” he said.
“When I was younger I played a lot at a higher level so while I think I’m the youngest in the team I’ve got a lot of experience with what I’ve done and the boys seem happy to listen.”
Saturday’s match sees the league’s two leading scorers go head-to-head. Howell has 129 points so far while Wagga’s Zacchery Maloney is next with 108.
Play starts at 7pm.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
