Senior Guard Alex Welch dribbles the ball up the court in a 67-40 victory against a talented Springbrook team on Sherwood’s Senior Night.

by Andrew Fenner ‘27

The outlook on the boys basketball season was uncertain in the preseason. In an interview with Coach Tom Sheahin in early December, he talked about the players who graduated from last year’s talented team. Sheahin said losing so many key players was a setback, “but I think we’re just as good, if not more talented.” Looking at Sheahin’s assessment now that the season has nearly finished, he was right.

This year’s team already has more wins than last season, sitting at an impressive 18-2 compared to the previous season’s 17-6. The Warriors’ only losses come from Blake and Springbrook, both teams having lost to Sherwood once as well. The program has gotten significant recognition for their record, being ranked in the Washington Post’s Top 20 basketball programs in the state. The Warriors have been ranked twice, sliding in at number 20 and later number 19. “Being ranked in the Top 20 is a privilege,” Sheahin said, and considering that the Post’s rankings include private schools, this is a great accomplishment for a public school. “I feel like we definitely earned being ranked in the Washington Post,” sophomore Jamar Nix said, “Sherwood is a great team and we will go far in the playoffs.”

Aside from rising seniors Alex Welch, Justin Lawson, and a few others, this team is very different from last year’s. Additions of players within the program have proved to be valuable assets to the team’s success. Notably, Nix has become a key offensive and defensive weapon for the Warriors, being a threat in transition and discouraging inside play from the opposing team because of his height and athleticism.

The Warriors’ talent didn’t just come from within the program, but also from impactful transfers, like senior Khalil Wilson and junior Tyler Grambling. “You can put him on their best player and let him work,” Sheahin said about Wilson, who has had great performances guarding tough opponents, including the top-ranked sophomore in the country, Blake’s Babatunde Oladotun. Wilson’s ability to disrupt a player’s rhythm forces turnovers and leads to easy points in transition. Grambling has become a major part of the Warriors’ offense, effectively working the ball around and facilitating plays. On the offensive side of the ball, both Grambling and Wilson have the innate ability to get to the rim and finish through contact, regardless of whatever defender stands in their way.

Welch is a major part of the Warriors’ offensive production. In a win over Richard Montgomery, the senior guard had 31 points, leading Sherwood to a 67-45 point victory. Sheahin stated that Welch and Wilson are the glue that holds the team together. “They are consistent and show leadership on and off the court,” Sheahin said about the two senior guards.

“Our team has improved on our team defense,” Sheahin said, adding that “defense wins championships and we have held our opponents to 57 points per game.” This team’s defensive capabilities are nothing to scoff at. Alongside Wilson, Nix is a talented defender, standing at a staggering 6’6”. Nix averaged 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks through the first 8 games of the season.

It wasn’t just the roster that saw changes, but also the coaching staff. The addition of Assistant Coach Jeff Holda this season has also helped push the Warriors to greater heights. “Coach Holda is like having an extra Head Coach,” said Sheahin “He had some great teams at Gaithersburg and he knows how to coach. He does a great job scouting and putting together a great game plan and is a big part of our 18-2 record.”

Going into the postseason, Sherwood looks to end with the first or second seed in the region, guaranteeing at least two home games in the playoffs. As Sheahin said earlier in the year, “When we get everyone playing well, we will be a tough out in the playoffs,” a sentiment that will be put to the test in early March.