North Carolina State University Athletics
Scooter Gets It Done on `D'
2/12/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 12, 2004
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.-There were times earlier in his career when Scooter Sherrill wondered if he would ever get on the court for meaningful minutes at NC State. Some Wolfpack fans often wondered the same thing, asking the burning question "why isn't a McDonald's All-American playing more?" Obviously, there were tangible reasons why Sherrill's minutes were limited his first few years. No. 1, he was playing behind a first team All-ACC guard in Anthony Grundy. No. 2, defense wasn't exactly Sherrill's strong suit, which was bad news for anyone trying to make an impression on coach Herb Sendek.
"In high school, I didn't play too much defense; I just shot the ball," Sherrill said, recalling his high school career at West Rowan. "I really didn't have too much experience."
That lack of experience certainly prevented Sherrill from making the big early splash that he and many Wolfpack fans expected. There were even times during those first two years when he considered transferring to a school that might overlook any deficiencies he may have and fulfill his desire for more playing time.
"I'll be honest with you, I did consider it some," Sherrill said. "I wanted to be out there on the court and obviously I wasn't. I was the type of guy who had played my entire life, so not playing - it hurt. I thought of other ways that I could play and leaving was an option. I just talked to my parents. I had good people telling me to stick with it and that it would work out for me in the end."
It is working out primarily because Sherrill committed himself to becoming a better defender after his sophomore season. Above all else, he knew his effort level on the defensive end of the court had to improve. From a mechanical standpoint, he worked on moving his feet better and learned how to anticipate and get through screens. He also worked on always keeping eye contact with the ball when the man he was guarding didn't have it.
Now everyone is starting to see the finished product. On Tuesday night, Sherrill defused one of the hottest players in college basketball when he held Florida State's electrifying guard Tim Pickett to just five points. And just one week ago against Wake Forest, it was Sherrill's second half defense on Justin Gray that helped the Wolfpack stage an improbable comeback win over the Deacs. After tallying 15 points to lead Wake to a 16-point bulge at halftime, Gray would come back to score just two in the second 20 minutes.
Sendek certainly has plenty of faith in Sherrill's defensive ability, so much so that he now has no reluctance to put the senior on big time scorers like Pickett and Gray. In Sendek's mind, Sherrill's biggest ally is experience.
"He's had hundreds of repetitions now whereas earlier in his career he was just getting started," Sendek said. "I think it would even be more on target to say that having a first-team all-conference guard like Anthony Grundy in front of him had a lot to do with those playing time woes that Scooter had earlier in his career. Certainly, he needed to be better on defense like a lot of guys on the team."
But after watching Sherrill shutdown Pickett the other night, even the normally reserved Sendek couldn't help but praise Sherrill's growth, saying "I can't tell you how much Scooter Sherrill has improved on defense."
Sherrill's next defensive assignment may very well be the most daunting for any guard in college basketball. When top-ranked Duke visits the RBC Center at 6:30 on Sunday, Sherrill will likely be asked to guard J.J. Redick, whose shooting prowess is now almost legendary although he's only a sophomore.
"I'm looking forward to it," Sherrill said. "I've just got to do the same thing I did with Tim Pickett and just try to stay in his face constantly and not give him any room to breathe."
Those are words that are normally spoken by players who are known as "defensive stoppers." Then again, if Sherrill continues to 'D-up' as he has in recent games, perhaps he'll one day be referred to as a stopper himself.
"I like hearing that," said a giggling Sherrill. "I haven't heard that too much over the course of my career. I've worked so hard at it. To finally get noticed a little bit it feels real good."
