Warren senior forward Adam Panek glanced around Monday afternoon and noticed the difference.
New players were everywhere for the first official practice. New coach Zack Ryan has brought a new philosophy to the program.
“It was really odd,” Panek said. “I’ve been a member of the Warren family all the way from the feeder program. … It’s just different compared to my teammates from last year because we had played together for many years.”
The 6-foot-5 Panek is the only returnee with significant varsity experience for the Blue Devils (15-15), who have finished over .500 just once since the 2013-14 season. Ryan replaces Jon Jasnoch after winning three regional titles in eight seasons at Carmel.
Ryan said he felt some rare first-day jitters Monday.
“I’ve been in a routine at Carmel for eight years, so today was definitely a different feeling for the first day of tryouts,” he said. “I was more nervous than I’ve ever been, but it was a nervous excitement.
“To be at a place like Warren, in that main gym today, we had a lot of guys trying out. It was pretty cool. I’m excited. I’m very lucky and grateful because I’ve had a ton of support from my athletic director and administration. I’m excited to get going. These guys are excited too.”
Ryan said the entire program had more than 130 kids for tryouts, including nearly 40 for the varsity team.
“Planning-wise, at a bigger school, we saw some kids you don’t really know about that tried out,” he said. “Plus, we’ve got some guys still playing football that are talking about trying out. We’ve got a good core that has been together for quite a while. We’re just trying to get through tryouts. We have to get ready fast because we have our first game in two weeks.”
Junior guard Josh Stewart is new to Warren but not to Ryan. Stewart, a transfer from Carmel, is trying to walk a fine line between being a leader and gaining acceptance from new teammates.
“It was odd at first, but coach always told me I always had to be the leader being the point guard for the last two seasons at Carmel,” Stewart said. “Becoming a better leader, on and off the court, is my No. 1 priority for the team and being there for my teammates.”
Panek knows his time to lead has come too. He said he worked hard in the offseason to improve his confidence and become more aggressive with the ball and crashing the boards, but he also is adjusting to an enhanced role due to the lack of veteran players.
“Sometimes it’s easy to fade into the background because you think someone else will fill the leadership role,” Panek said. “Now that some of the younger guys are looking up to me, I’ve really come to understand the value in leading by example. … If I have one goal as a leader, it’s to give the younger guys the same confidence and belief to step out from the background, work hard and lead themselves and each other that the coaches have given me.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.