Rolling Thunder: Westlake looking the part of a legitimate contender
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- Westlake guard Graydin Anderson drives toward the hoop while effectively directing his team during a 59-47 win over Cottonwood on Thursday. December 11, 2025
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- Westlake forward Lincoln Anderson drives toward the hoop during his team’s 59-47 win over Cottonwood on Thursday. December 11, 2025
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- Westlake guard Graydin Anderson drives to score two of his 14 points in his team’s 59-47 win over Cottonwood on Thursday. December 11, 2025
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- Westlake’s Lincoln Norwood led all scorers with 21 points during his team’s 59-47 win over Cottonwood. December 11, 2025
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- Westlake forward Brady Thompson scores two of his 10 points in a 59-47 win over Cottonwood on Thursday. December 11, 2025
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- Westlake’s Caleb Noftle finishes off a layup during his team’s 59-47 win over Cottonwood on Thursday. December 11, 2025
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- Westlake’s Malik Sika drives toward the basket during his team’s 59-47 win over Cottonwood. December 11, 2025
The Westlake boys basketball team dispatched Cottonwood 59-47 on Thursday while showcasing its typical brand of basketball that has proven very successful so far this season and in recent years.
The Thunder doesn’t present any stand-out stars, but a group of very good and solid players who can prove to be great when working in concert. It’s a team that provides balanced-scoring and a consistent all-around effort that has produced a 5-0 record out of the gate this season a year after making a deep run in the 6A championships last season where it was ousted by eventual champion Davis in the quarterfinal round.
On Thursday the Thunder got past the previously undefeated Colts led by Lincoln Norwood’s 21 points with Graydin Anderson and Brody Thompson chipping in 14 and 10 points, respectively.
“I really liked how we came out and started,” said Westlake coach Nate Carling. “We got up double-digits early, and for today’s being an earlier start time, I liked how they got themselves ready to play a very good Cottonwood team.”
Indeed Westlake put its mark on the game early and then cruised toward the win, not allowing the Colts to seriously threaten to retake the lead throughout the game’s final 24 minutes of play. Directed by Anderson, who has started three years at the point position, Westlake proved consistent and solid throughout.
“It’s such a luxury to have an experienced point guard like Graydin,” Carling said. “He’s been starting three years for us now, so he doesn’t get rattled or lose his composure. He’s seen everything, so he brings a calmness to everybody else. He’s had some challenges, sure, but now that he’s a senior, he’s exactly the type of player you want playing the point for you.”
Anderson is just one of several experienced players returning for the Thunder this year, with each of them accepting their respective roles well in hopes of forming yet another competitive team capable of a deep run at a 6A state championship.
“It’s often that we’ll have five guys scoring in double-figures,” Carling said. “It’s a team that knows how to share the ball and they really enjoy playing with each other. We’re truly a team out there. It’s hard to guard when there’s threats all over the floor, and that’s one of our big strengths as a team, we feel.”
Absent from the scoring ledger in Thursday’s win was Malik Sika, who battled through some ailments and is still adjusting back to the hardwood after starring at receiver for the Thunder football team this past year.
“He’s actually transitioned really well after starting for us last year,” Carling said. “He’s more explosive and he’s bigger, and I think that football experience is really going to help him to be an even better basketball player. He had a rough game out there today, but he’s absolutely going to be a big contributor for us this year. I’m real happy with what I’ve seen from him.”
All of the components have Westlake appearing like a legitimate contender to win a state championship this season, and it’s an assertion Carling and his players don’t shy away from.
“We think we’re right in the mix of all of it,” Carling said. “I mean, there’s some really tough teams out there, but when challenges come I know that this group we have this year will rise to the occasion. I’m confident in that, but as always it’s going to come down to how well we defend and if we can knock those shots down. But there’s no one we’re scared of out there and no one we don’t think we can contend with. I really like our team this year and what we’ve shown so far.”
