Hawks searching for offensive identity

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Woodland’s Zach Bedryczuk (5) goes up for a shot as Torrington’s Stephon Dailey (2) rises up to defend him Jan. 13 in Beacon Falls. Torrington won the game, 84-38. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

BEACON FALLS — The Woodland boys basketball team is looking for a much-needed offensive spark.

In loses to Wilby, 75-22, and Torrington, 84-38, last week, the Hawks put up their lowest point totals this season. It hasn’t helped their point guard Justin Marks missed three straight games with an illness, and the offense has shown the signs of his absence.

“This team is not about one player,” Woodland head coach Tom Hunt said. “If it is then we have bigger problems. Zach Bedryczuk took over the point guard position with Justin out. But last year Zach was our leading scorer, and teams are double teaming him. What we need is someone else to step up and give us another scoring threat.”

Hunt added, “We want our guys out there competing to get better regardless of what the final score might be.”

On Wednesday, the Hawks upped their offensive output slightly in a 62-43 loss to Oxford. Bedryczuk led the way against the Wolverines with 18 points, hitting on six 3-pointers.

Seniors Rich Rousseau and Alex Rindos have been consistent producers for the Hawks’ (0-7) inside game. Rindos had five points against Wilby and Rousseau added four points.

Adem Rifati, Zach Marquis, Josh DePalma and Joe Witkowski have taken up some of the slack on the boards.

A few players have come on lately for the Hawks.

Juniors John Frasco, Kyle Macek and Brandon Filippone have given the Hawks some quality minutes and freshman Mike Szturma has shown his presence in the scoring column. Szturma had six points versus Torrington and against Oxford.

Woodland’s Rich Rousseau (32) works against Torrington’s Richy Rodriquez (0) Jan. 13 in Beacon Falls. Torrington won the game, 84-38. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

“Mike Szturma is only a freshman but suited up the last two games and wound up in the scoring column,” Hunt said. “He’s taking advantage of the opportunity. We have a couple of juniors who are giving us quality minutes.

“Our offense is still looking for its identity, but we are giving guys some game experience and that is going to make us a better team down the road.”

Seniors Dylan Sender and Brendan Rowley have shown they are capable of being that scorer that can spark the offense when teams double down on Bedryczuk. Sophomore Ryan Swanson is another younger player who is in the scoring column in every game he plays.

Bedryczuk led the Hawks with eight points in the loss to Torrington. Rowley added five points with Rindos and Rousseau scoring four points each.

Woodland is going to need to ramp it up as the Hawks hit the midpoint of the season. The Hawks will host Waterbury Career on Friday and visit Wolcott on Jan. 24.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated from the version that appears in the Jan. 20 print edition to include game results through Jan. 19.