Whether it's rebounding, shot-blocking, shooting or handling the rock, Baylen Unger is doing it all for the Spartans senior boy's basketball team.
Unger was last year's starting power forward. He's embracing an expanded role now, from playing center in certain lineups, down to shooting guard in others.
"I like it because I get to play inside and outside more Ö I get to handle the ball more, which is fun," he said.
His rounded skill set was on display on Dec. 16, in the Spartans' 70-29 victory over the Didsbury High School Dragons. Unger scored 30 points through an eclectic blend of layups, jumpshots and putbacks.
Unger's ability to slot into any position on the floor has given head coach Tom Christensen flexibility. At six-feet-two with quick feet and taut ball skills, he matches up with big and small players alike.
"That's exactly what he does. He's a challenge for other teams because he can play such a strong inside game, a running game. He can be a guard. We haven't seen a team yet that has really figured out what to do with him defensively. He has so many weapons against them," Christensen said.
Unger is one of five seniors on the roster. This season, they are hosting the ASAA senior boy's 3A provincial championship. The senior girl's 3A championship is being held in town as well. These two events will be the first time Olds High School has hosted team-based provincial championships.
"It's really exciting. We're going bust our butts all year and hopefully win a couple games at provincials and see where it goes from there," he said. "I played at provincials before and it's just a good time."
Even though he has a go-to scorer, Christensen has the Spartans playing an offence that's focused on ball movement, swinging possession from player to player, creating opportunities for many.
"We spend a lot of time in practice on motion offence," Christensen said.
"We're a pretty good shooting team. I have three or four guys that can really hit the three-ball when they're on."
For that reason, he believes the Spartans will be more effective when the game's pace slows down. Last year's team lit up the scoreboard by running and gunning in transition -- few opponents could keep up.
"Whereas this year, we come down the floor and work the ball around, look for cuts, look for the three-point shot," Christensen said. "I think we're better than last year's team in the half-court game.
"Two of the guys who are returning from last year were playing roles deep down the bench whereas this year, now they're starters. I have two Grade 10 starters. It's going to take a while for us to get to there, but I'm pretty optimistic about them, actually."
"We haven't seen a team yet that has really figured out what to do with him defensively. He has so many weapons against them." TOM CHRISTENSEN
