“The Windup:” Week 5 Interview Questions for Marion Head Coach Billy Shepherd
I. This Season
a. You are the third coach we’ve talked to this semester that is in their first season at the helm of a team. What kind of mentality, program, ideas were you going to try and implement here at Marion and to this point, how successful has that gone through the season?
b. I was looking through the Giants schedule this season and noticed that many of the games have ended within single digits. In high school basketball, how hard is it to coach these close games night in and night out and what effect does it have on the players?
c. 2012 started off well as your team won 4 of its first 5 after the turn of the calendar. What had your team clicking then when, at least according to your schedule, the team really couldn’t put any sort of positive streak together to that point?
d. As the only county team not to play in the Central Indiana Conference where all the other county schools play, what’s it like to play them throughout the year when those games have no affect on the conference?
e. Along with playing county teams this season, the Giants have also faced 7 teams that were ranked in the state rankings when you played them. Your team is only 1-6 in those matches. What’s it like playing arguably one of the toughest schedules in your conference and maybe in the state?
II. Last Game(s)
a. Your team is currently on a 4-game losing streak heading into Thursday’s game against Huntington North. What have been some of the factors that have led to this losing streak?
b. Let’s talk specifically about your team’s last game against Warsaw. Senior Lucas George went off for the Tigers with 27 points and 8 rebounds. He scored over half of Warsaw’s points. From a fan’s perspective, you have to ask where is the defense? So please shed some light for your fans in Marion about what happened Saturday.
III. Next Game(s)
a. Let’s talk about your game this Saturday as the Giants host Columbia City. What’s the game plan in trying to beat them Saturday afternoon?
b. In these final games of the regular season, what does the Giants have to do to build some momentum going into sectionals?
c. At this point in the season, the North Central Conference championship isn’t going to happen this year. With that said, what’s the goal for your team when sectional play rolls around here in a couple of weeks?
d. As the first regular season winds down with you at the helm, what does the future look like for the Marion Giants basketball program?
e. We have to give some time to your counterparts on the women’s side as they are playing in the sectional semifinals on Friday against McCutcheon. How has the community responded this season as both teams have basically hung around the .500 mark all season?
IV. Extra Questions
a. I did some research and saw that you were a Mr. Basketball in the state of Indiana…played for the Butler Bulldogs and professionally in the ABA. Obviously then, you have tons of experience. What can you take from your life as a player and use as a coach?
b. Butler Bulldogs have been the story of March Maddness the past couple of years being the national runner up. What are your thoughts on the current status of the program and what coach Brad Stevens is doing down in Indianapolis?
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