Fast Feature: A conversation with coach Sherron Wilkerson heading into sectional play this weekend

Update: March 8 at 9 p.m.: JHS defeats New Albany 62-47 to win the 2025 sectional championship. Check back for more sectional coverage next week.

Update: March 7 at 9:20 p.m.: It will be a Red Devil-Bulldog rematch for the sectional championship tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. in Seymour as Jeff will face New Albany.

Update: March 7 at 8:30 p.m.: JHS defeats Bedford North Lawrence 68-38 to advance to sectional championship; will face New Albany-Floyd Central winner tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.

by Austin Bainbridge

During the busy playoff season I was able to sit down for an interview with head boys’ basketball coach Sherron Wilkerson.

During the conversation we talked about his confidence after Tuesday’s 82-49 win against the Scottsburg Warriors in the first round of sectional and what the team needs to do in order to maintain playoff success tonight against Bedford North Lawrence (9-12).

Do you think the blowout win against Scottsburg will affect your confidence throughout the rest of the playoffs?

“Yes I do. I don’t think it was necessarily the score that gave us confidence; the way that we played gave us confidence. We hit the goals we set out to accomplish.”

Do any players have their own personal goals?

“We set goals for them of one steal, one layup, one offensive rebound, and a putback.”

Does beating Bedford North Lawrence earlier in the season give you confidence going into the game on Friday, knowing that you have beaten them before?

“No, I think that it has to be just the opposite. Here’s why. Typically, when you beat a team in the regular season there is a tendency to go in overly confident. You have a tendency to overlook them. We are going to get Bedford’s best shot because last time we played them they thought they found some things that they could do better against us. So we have to go in with our most intensity yet so we can beat them.”

Has the team’s winning streak affected the way the players have played, such as playing more confidently?

“I think it makes them more confident in the things we are trying to do. I think it helps them to buy into our system more.”

With you not knowing who your opponent will be because the playoff games are so close together, how do you gameplan?

“Typically, what we do is in our practice plan (is) we’ll incorporate the main tendencies of the potential opponents we could play. So no matter who we play we are at least familiar with the two or three things they do the best.”

Do you treat every playoff game the same, no matter the opponent, whether it’s Scottsburg or the best team in the state?

“We treat it the same. We treat every team like they’re the best in the state. Virginia was a one seed and got upset by a sixteenth seed (in the NCAA tournament), so anything can happen. We see every team as dangerous and we try to play our best no matter what.”

If you win Friday you might have the chance to play New Albany. Do you see that as an opportunity to knock them out of the playoffs since they are a big rival.

“We don’t look at it as that. We look at it as an opportunity to hang another banner, no matter who the opponent is.”

What is the most important thing the team has to do to win these next few games?

“I think they have to stay locked in mentally. I think that is the hardest part, because you’ve been through an entire season. Coach has been pushing you. Coach has been constantly giving you messages that you have to carry out. Coach has been yelling and screaming at you to pay attention to details. It gets repetitive. This is the hardest part of the season, but also the most fun.”

Did anything stick out to you in the win against Scottsburg?

“The players’ mature approach. I think you could have a talented team, you could have a really good team, but if the team isn’t focused on what they need to accomplish, then they are in a really bad spot.”

What do you want to see from the team against Bedford North Lawrence tonight?

“We definitely have to guard the basketball. We have to make sure our shot selection is really good.”

JHS (18-5) plays Bedford North Lawrence (9-12) in the next round of sectional tonight at 6 p.m. in Seymour, followed by the New Albany-Floyd Central game. The winners will face off for the sectional championship tomorrow night.

Check back for sectional updates throughout the weekend.