by Austin Bainbridge

With Saturday’s state championship game drawing ever closer, I was able to interview head boys’ basketball coach Sherron Wilkerson. He detailed the pressure the players are under and how his experience gives him a unique insight into the biggest game of the year.

How would a win on Saturday affect this team’s legacy?

“They would be in the conversation for being one of the best teams to come through the program. I currently think that our ‘93 team was the greatest to come through here, but if these guys get it done, they’ll be in the conversation for one of the greatest teams to ever play for this program.”

Does being a player on the 1993 state championship team affect how you coach and view this game?

“Yes. I think it’s one thing to describe an event, but it’s one thing to feel that event with emotions. Those emotions are what bring it alive, so to actually be in the moment and to feel it is a unique feeling, so I think it’s something you have to go through to understand. Along with that, the experience of being a player is invaluable.”

How has the team’s style of play changed since the first game of the season?

“I would say that we are more patient. Our maturity has allowed us to understand what ball movement equals, and if you can understand what ball movement equals, you become more patient, and then you can take advantage of defensive breakdowns.”

Are you treating this game like it’s any other game in the season?

“Nah, this is something all on its own, and this is completely different. That’s because there will be no other game throughout the season where there will be this much pressure. So for the folks that say, ‘Ah, this is just another game,’ I just don’t think that is the case.”

Do you think the players are feeling that pressure to perform in a big game like this?

“I do think our players are feeling the pressure to perform, and I think that’s a good thing. Pressure busts pipes. So if you’re not in the situation to have the skills to deal with pressure. then you can’t compete.”

Does Fishers do anything in particular that sets them apart from other programs?

“There are two things they do really well that others don’t. Number one, they pressure you 84 feet in both directions. They pressure you 84 feet offensively, and they pressure you 84 feet defensively, and that’s very rare at this level. And the other thing I think they do really well at is they share the basketball really well. They have four players averaging double figures, and they have two averaging 8 or more.”

You have been saying all year you have two goals, to get players scholarships and to win a state championship. Now that those are both in reach, how do you feel?

“Blessed, truly blessed. That’s our goal every year as we start the season. We have two goals — those goals are getting guys to play at the next level to get a free education, and the next thing we set out to accomplish is to win a state championship. And I think if you can do both of those in one year, that is divine intervention at its finest.”

What do you expect from the players in this game?

“This is something these guys have been preparing for their whole lives. I expect the beginning of the game to be a little sloppy because they’re going to be so excited, and then once the emotion wears off, I think that we’ll settle down and we’ll be able to compete.”

What do the players need to do to win this game 

“The first thing they need to do is they can’t get intimidated by the moment. I think that’s the most important. And when you asked me about if it’s any other game, no, it’s not any other game. The atmosphere, the fact that it’s on TV, the fact that this is the first game we’re going to have media timeouts — just all the variables that play into the equation of making it different. They can’t get distracted by it.”

JHS will play defending state champions the Fishers Tigers this Saturday at 8:15 p.m. for the 4A state championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. More information here on the Jeff High Athletics website.