Josh Weinberg’s
The Story Behind Rise to Prominence in Whitman Basketball by Matt Mande
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Six years ago at Pyle Middle School, head basketball coach Bobby Polley called over senior Josh Weinberg, then in seventh grade, to talk to him at the end of his second day of basketball tryouts. When Josh heard the words “not quite there” and “try out next year,” he was crushed. The following year, after training at home and at private sessions with coaches from E-Train University, a basketball instructional organization, Josh returned to Pyle basketball tryouts. Despite his efforts, a disappointed Josh left without a spot on the team once again. “I was pretty upset,” Josh said. “Being a part of that team was a huge deal to me, and to not make it either year was frustrating.” Eager to find a way on to the team, he joined as a manager, helping Polley during practice and games. Midway through the season, a player quit the team, and taking advantage of the long-awaited opportunity, Josh filled the empty spot. But he spent most of the games sitting on the bench. “Seeing younger kids playing in front of me was kind of a slap in the face,” Josh said. “But it all just made me hungrier.” Two years later, Josh made Whitman’s varsity team, pulled up mid-season as a sophomore. Before his third regular season game Josh stood on the shiny floor of the Whitman gym, his heart racing as he listened to the national anthem. As the final words sounded, the crowd erupted in applause — Josh was ready. It was a Friday night, and Whitman was facing off against its
rival, Churchill High School. Over the next hour, Weinberg would score 11 points, leading Whitman to a hard-fought victory. “That was the game where I really validated my spot on varsity,” Weinberg said. “It was also the most excited I’d ever been after a game.” Now, Josh is the varsity team captain, a position his father, Paul Weinberg, attributes to Josh’s determination and competitive attitude. Throughout his past two and a half seasons on varsity, he has brought energy and leadership to the team, varsity boys basketball coach Christopher Lun said. He’s also the leading scorer on the team this season, averaging 14.9 points per game. Josh’s rise to the top of Whitman’s basketball program began the summer before his freshman year. He joined the Whitman summer league team and worked to make the most of the few minutes of playing time he got. “I tried to take advantage of every single time I saw the floor,” Josh said. “My goal was to be that guy that deserves to be out there — not because he scores, but because he guards, comes out with loose balls and really just puts in the effort.” That fall, determined to get more playing time, Josh tried out for Havoc City Elite Basketball, an Amateur Athletic Union team with skilled players from around the D.C. area. After making the AAU team, he began to increase his speed of play and sharpen his ability to make smart plays, he said. “Havoc City really opened my eyes to what real basketball tal-
