EPWORTH — The future looks pretty good for the Western Dubuque boys’ basketball program, considering the freshmen and sophomore teams are a combined 19-1. The present isn’t too shabby, either.

The Bobcats are 9-2 after a 52-42 loss to Solon last night in a makeup game.

Since a Dec. 11 loss to DeWitt Central, WD had rolled off six straight wins, including a 12-point victory over Class 4A Dubuque Hempstead.

“We only play one senior, so actually we might be ahead of schedule,” said Coach Dennis Geraghty. “We’ve got three sophomores and a junior in our starting lineup, but they’re good players.”

That junior is 6-foot-2 guard Zach Otting, who leads Western Dubuque in scoring at 19.7 points per game. A second-team all-Wamac Conference pick last season, he will become his school’s all-time leading scorer either late this season or early next.

The lone senior is 6-foot-8 center Derrick Pape, who is averaging a double-double (11.9 points per game and 10.3 rebounds per game). Geraghty hopes a third scorer will emerge among a group that includes sophomores Logan Pitz, Hunter Westhoff and Nick Tuttle and juniors Sam Hoeger, Matt Kass and Jacob Lembezeder.

Team chemistry has developed nicely. Geraghty said the team eats a meal together before every game and team breakfast the morning of every game.

“Last year, we knew this could be the start of a few good years,” Geraghty said. “The kids have played really good defense. Now the offense is starting to catch up to the defense.”

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—- Playing out of state has become the rage for Metro clubs apparently.

Linn-Mar made its annual pilgrimage to the Twin Cities a success last Saturday, overwhelming Minnetonka (Minn.), 88-71, in the Timberwolves Shootout at the Target Center. Cedar Rapids Kennedy will take part in the West Carroll Basketball Shootout in Illinois on Jan. 23.

—- The Cougars are paired with Chicago Heights Bloom Township in a tournament that also includes Iowa schools Clinton, Davenport Assumption and Bettendorf.

—- Welcome back, Josh Oglesby. The Cedar Rapids Washington junior swingman is eligible again after sitting out the first part of the season due to a school-imposed suspension.

He scored 16 points last week in a loss to Dubuque Wahlert, 20 in a win over Iowa City High and 26 in a win over Newton. Oglesby is a Division I recruit.