Tosa East's Sayles a straight shooter
Tosa East's Sayles finds his hard work is paying off
Wauwatosa East's Dan Sayles attempts to get around Brookfield Central's Alex Diciaula during the second quarter of a game at Brookfield Central High School. Photo By PETER ZUZGA
You don't have to be Wauwatosa East boys basketball coach Tim Arndorfer to know that senior captain Dan Sayles works hard on his game. Just listen to a couple Greater Metro Conference rival coaches rave about Sayles.
"What I appreciate the most with seniors is what they do with the opportunity to improve from their junior year into their senior year," Brookfield East coach Andy Farley said. "You can always tell the guys who have worked tirelessly on their games in the summer and the ones who have worked occasionally; Dan has worked tirelessly, and you can see the results."
Brookfield Central veteran coach Mark Adams also has noted Sayles' improvement.
"It's obvious he worked on his game in the offseason," Adams said. "At this level you have to learn to play the game at a higher speed, and he has done that."
Year-to-year difference
Last year Sayles was at the bottom of the Red Raiders' rotation, but he did see more playing time than any returning player this year.
When Arndorfer played Sayles last year, he was looking for some offense for a team that struggled with its perimeter shooting.
Sayles, who is an outstanding baseball pitcher and hitter, worked hard on his basketball skills when he wasn't on the diamond, and it shows in his improved play on the court this year.
"He wants to be the best of the best," Arndorfer said. "He is the guy the other teams want to shut down."
Sayles ranks among the NOW Area Leading Scorers with a 14-point per game average, and he's the man opposing coaches game-plan against.
"In our preparation he was the No. 1 player we were focusing on," Adams said. "He is able to get his shot off very quickly."
"He is one of the top shooters within our conference," Farley added.
All-around player
Arndorfer understands Sayles' value to the Red Raiders, who are fighting to get back to the .500 mark overall this year.
"He has done the bulk of our scoring," Arndorfer said. "He is one of the few you can count on every game. He has been a huge plus for us. He has come through in the big games."
Sayles, an outstanding outside shooter, took inspiration while growing up from former Milwaukee Buck guard Paul Pierce, who is now playing with the Boston Celtics.
"I liked to watch Paul Pierce's outside shot," he said. "But he could also create and slash to the basket. That's what made him so good."
While he is known for his outside shooting, Sayles is an all-around player, as he has focused on improving his defense.
"Defense is as important as offense," he said. "If you can't stop the guy you are guarding, your points don't mean anything in my eyes."
Arndorfer has seen the change in Sayles this year.
"He wants to guard the other team's best player," he said. "That speaks a lot about him."
Craving control
And Sayles is up to the challenge.
"I like taking on the responsibility of guarding the other team's best player. This way I feel I have more control of the game," he said.
Unlike some high school players who run away from the ball with the game on the line, Sayles loves those pressure situations.
"I love the ball in my hands (at the end of the game)," he said. "You get to control what happens. I don't mean just shooting the ball but knowing who is getting it to the open man, and having that control is the best feeling."
Getting the ball to a teammate is something Sayles enjoys.
"I love having assists and seeing my teammates' reaction when they score," he said. "I'd give it to them every day because it is just as good as scoring a bucket. It's all the same, no matter who shoots it."
Arndorfer knew he had a leader in Sayles.
"Going into the year, I know I had one leader for sure," Arndorfer said. "His numbers have been constant and he has survived his lack of experience. You know he will give all he has.
"He knows how to play the game."
Sayles, BY THE NUMBERS
14
points-per-game average
15
Rank among NOW-area scoring leaders
12
games with 16 or more points
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