Four-time defending champ GW hopes Shootout leads to overall improvement

George Washington winning the 26th annual Register & Bee Holiday Shootout seems a foregone conclusion.

The perennial state powerhouse has won four Shootouts in a row, 13 of the last 14 and 17 overall since the inaugural tournament in 1983.

GW coach Bobby Martin insists that the Eagles haven’t grown complacent — just accustomed to winning. And winning, Martin said, is not the primary goal this year.

“Because we’re so young, we’re just trying to keep improving every day,” he said. “I told the guys, ‘Every day we come into the gym we’ve got to get better. We’ve got to stop worrying about winning and losing, let’s just keep getting better. If we keep getting better, things will take care of themselves.’”

Senior center Stephen Coles is the only starter back from last year’s team that recorded its second undefeated regular season in three years, but the Eagles are once again off to a perfect start to their season heading into the Holiday Shootout at Averett University’s Grant Center in Danville.

Coles, and none of the Eagles, in fact, have played for a GW team that hasn’t won the Shootout. While the senior is looking forward to the challenge, he’s even more excited about starting the Western Valley District portion of the schedule.

“The real part of the season comes after it,” Coles said. “The Christmas tournament is a good part of the season, but when you get back to the real, real games, that’s where the fun is at.”

Martin understands, as well, that the district schedule is what counts the most, but he also knows the benefit that playing in the Holiday Shootout provides. Not only is the tournament an opportunity for his team to work on its game in preparation for the district slate, but it’s also a big draw for GW alumni to come back to Danville for the holidays and show their support.

“I think it’s always been good to us. Anytime you can play three games in a row and you’ve got to change for different sets you’ve got to play against, it helps you get ready mentally and physically,” Martin said. “When the older guys come back, even the guys I hadn’t coached, they come back and they have school spirit and school pride in what GW’s doing.

“We’re just trying to keep it going.”