A new feature at Outside the Huddle during basketball season, we will connect with area coaches on occasion to get their takes on big wins, huge matchups upcoming and more.
This week, we tracked down Northrop boys coach Shane Merryman.
Q: Walk us through a bit of the rebuild at Northrop. You change things last season in your first year, but then graduate some big players, yet come back this season seemingly more in tune as a program.
A: It started with the commitment from the players. To have a full off season with our current group was very important. We had a lot of discussions on what their goals were for their senior year. Getting them to understand that in order to reach those goals, the commitment level must match them.
Q: How important are the two early wins over strong NE8 programs? Not just to get to wins 2 and 3, but because of what those programs, coaches and players can do?
A: Getting success early was very important for us as a program. Being able to come from double digits down against New Haven really showed the growth and maturity of our team. They were coming off a big win against Woodlan with a ton of momentum. Being able to follow that up with a quality win over an East Noble team that will make a strong push come sectionals helped show proof of concept for our guys. We tell our players all the time that they have earned the right to put themselves in situations to be successful. Letting them see that success early will hopefully be a spot where we can look back and remind them of what we need to do when things aren’t going our way.
Q: As a former high level player, what is the best advice that you can give your players about their time at Northrop?
A: You can’t cheat the process. What you put into your game is what you will get out of it. We cannot just show up in November and expect to compete with the best in the SAC and our sectional. The guys that have shown up to our workouts consistently, are the same ones who are performing at a higher level than last year.
Q: Marshawn Warfield has had a tremendous early season, what about him makes him such a dynamic scorer?
A: Marshawn is a product of a young man who has worked extremely hard his game. He can score at all 3 levels and really has a knack for finding opportunities to score.
Q: You’ve already faced former coach Marty Beasley a couple of times on the sidelines. What is it like coaching against guys you have previous connections with?
A: There is always a personal element when you get to be on the sideline with people you have connections with. When you spend a lot of time with these coaches, you feel like you understand their philosophies and what they want their teams to do. You are always wishing them the best and rooting for them besides the one night you’re playing them.
Q: What is the biggest change in the game since your playing days at Carroll? What would you like to see change that has not?
A: Biggest change in the game is how much bigger, faster, and stronger these athletes are. They also have such a greater reach and exposure than when I played. In order to see the scores of games we had to watch the 11 o’clock news. I am a big proponent of having a shot clock in the game. I feel the game has evolved and it would be a great new dynamic to the game. It would make late game situations more interesting.
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