Craig Mietz was first introduced to basketball 10 years ago, thanks to the CCYO league his father coached.

“My dad taught me a lot about the game,” he said of his first season in second grade. “It kind of just stuck with me.”

His innate athleticism was noticed by Weedsport boys basketball coach Matt Lipiska.

“He has the speed and strength to succeed at the college level if he wants to,” Lipiska said.

Mietz has taken many of the lessons in leadership he learned on the basketball court to the football field, his other passion.

“Basketball is a fun sport for me to play,” Mietz said. “However Friday night lights is where it#'s at. Something about the mood and area on game night is something I enjoy.”

Mietz's role as a leader, however, is more by example. He is capable of using his actions to set up plays for teammates both on the court and field.

“He's just a soft-spoken leader,” Lipiska said. “He makes plays and hustles continuously on the court.”

Mietz and Lipiska had their differences in Mietz's first year of varsity basketball as a junior.

“I was really frustrated with him last year,” Lipiska said. “He was raw last year and athletic. I knew he could do a lot better and he had more to do.”

Since then he has matured as a player. He is more confident with the ball and in his game.

“Last year he didn't want the ball when it mattered,” Lipiska said. “Now in those situations he wants the ball in his hands.”

During the off-season he also lifted weights to get stronger. His strength has been evident to the Warriors, as they carry a 5-1 record after winning the Cayuga County Holiday Tournament over Union Springs, Tuesday. Mietz was named the tournament MVP.

“He got a lot stronger over the year.” Lipiska said. “That's very noticeable when he drives to the lane and lays it up.”

Part of the Warriors success comes from Mietz, when he's on so are the Warriors.

“I want to stay strong during the rest of the season,” he said. “I want to get my teammates involved and getting the bench also involved. I'm confident in them. I feel if I can get them the ball they can make things happen.”

His role as the Warriors starting point guard allows him to lead on the court.

“He gets the most minutes on the team for his role,” Lipiska said.

“He's done a great job for us driving to the basket and demonstrating leadership.”

A key part of Lipiska not being so rough on Mietz was the ability to let Mietz do his own thing.

“I had to give him his own freedom,” Lipiska said.

“He has great hands, is athletic and his speed are all a plus for us. He's what I call green talent. He has the talents he just needs to bring them out.”

Mietz hopes to do that this year for the Warriors as they have pulled out a lot of close battles this year.

“We know we can win the close ones down the stretch,” Mietz said.

That mixed in with a little more success on the court in the shooting area and driving to the lanes, could spell success for the Warriors.

“I just want to keep getting better for our team,” he said. “Last year we had productive seniors this year I'm one of them. It feels great, but a lot of the credit goes to my teammates.”