matthew gomez
WORK FROM OFFSEASON HAS HEIGHTENDED WESTWOOD ’ S CONFIDENCE
BY JUWAN LEE
It ’ s you versus yesterday . That ’ s the message head coach Richard Bishop has consistently given his guys as he enters his fourth year overseeing the Westwood Panther program .
That message has trickled down through the ranks of the Panthers locker room . Especially , for players like Matthew Gomez . Gomez enters his junior year looking to build on top of a sophomore year that saw him earn second team all-district honors .
“ I ’ m feeling confident in this season ,” Gomez said . “ We ’ ve been putting a lot of work in inside the weight room . Practice builds confidence .”
Playing time adds to that confidence as well . Gomez got his first start on varsity his freshman year . His first taste came against an Alto Yellow Jacket team who would go on to string together 12 consecutive wins and a area round playoff berth .
Even with a young core the Panthers went on to lose that game by a single possession . Something that has become a trend Gomez wants to shake this year . Four of their seven losses last year came within a single possession – including their final three district games .
Those were disappointing results for a team that finished two games out of a playoff spot .
“ It ’ s about commitment ,” Gomez said . “ I feel how hard we work is the only thing preventing us from closing those gaps in those games . You learn to take preparation a lot more serious when you keep experiencing close games like that .”
The playoffs have been a distant dream for Westwood the past several years , though the program carries itself like a team accustomed to success .
They return 15 of their varsity lettermen . However , Gomez understands he may have the responsibility of carrying a larger leadership role with the loss of guys like Coy Elton and Donovan Barrett .
“ It means a lot to be looked at as a leader ,” Gomez said . You don ’ t want to let anyone down . And I don ’ t plan on it .”