With nine returning seniors and 17 players who were on the squad last year, Northmor coach Buck Workman starts his 22nd year at the Golden Knights’ helm adapting to his personnel with a focus on “getting it done.”
Last year, the Golden Knights finished 17-10 and 7-7 in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference (KMAC).
"Our goal is always to be in it at the end for the KMAC and make a nice tourney run," Workman said. "It's always a tough conference, but if we play like I know we can and do it consistently, we can give ourselves a chance."
The coach explained his coaching philosophy and his strategy for achieving victory.
"I think you have to be able to adapt to the kids," Workman said. "Your personnel is different from year to year, and we try to do what we can offensively according to what we have. We like to play small ball and be solid defensively, and we spend a lot of time on those things. Strategically, we just like to put as much pressure on the defense as possible."
Workman said the team will rely on its experience.
"We have nine seniors, three juniors and five sophomores that will comprise our varsity roster this year," he said. "Our strength is that our guys have played a lot of high-level competition and (has) been battle-tested. I don't think too much will phase them. Replacing our two seniors in center field and first base will be tough.
"We're just excited to get going with scrimmages and games," Workman said.
Workman previously played at Shelby and graduated in '89. He returned in 1991 to coach freshmen under Rob Howerton. He ended up coaching JV at Galion in '99-'00 before getting hired at Northmor and has been coaching there as varsity coach since 2001. In 1995, the Golden Knights made it to the state semifinals under Workman's guidance.
"We will give ourselves a chance," Workman said.
Northmor kicked off its 2022 schedule with home games March 26 against Mansfield Senior and Madison Plains.
