Spotlight on Cherry Hill East's Austin Wetzler

Austin Wetzler said the best thing about the first half of his senior basketball season is not Cherry Hill East's 10-1 record.

Although that's pretty good, too.

"It's amazing," Wetzler said of the Cougars' fast start. "Being 10-1 to start my senior year, that's something I'll remember for the rest of my life."

The 5-foot-10 Wetzler is averaging 14 points. He has reached double figures in eight of the Cougars' 11 games, twice scoring 24.

Wetzler and junior guard Jake Silpe are the two returning starters for one of the surprise teams of the season. Cherry Hill East also is 2-0 in Olympic American play, thanks to steady contributions from senior guard Phil Cunha, senior forward Tommy Smierciak, and sophomore center Tim Perry, among others.

"We have great chemistry," Wetzler said.

Wetzler said the Cougars' camaraderie has been even more rewarding than the team's success on the scoreboard.

"That's actually been better than going 10-1," Wetzler said. "We're all brothers. We look out for each other. We all hang out together. That's what's made this season so much fun."

- Phil Anastasia