Northmor's boys basketball team looks to continue its steady rise under third-year head coach Blade Tackett.
The Golden Knights have posted 4-19 and 11-12 records the past two seasons, and Tackett sees continued improvement.
“We want to continue to compete in the league and do our best to make a tournament run, as are our goals every year,” Tackett said. “Last year, we placed third in the conference and will make every effort to be top-three again this season.”
Northmor posted a 6-6 mark in the Knox-Morrow Athletic Conference last season, tied for third place with Fredericktown behind East Knox and Centerburg.
With more than half of the schedule made up of conference games, Tackett knows how crucial each contest is.
“All league games will be important this year as I think our conference has a lot of parity,” Tackett said. "I really believe that anyone can beat anyone on any night this season.”
While he doesn’t subscribe to any one coaching philosophy, Tackett likes to borrow ideas from many coaches.
Tacket feels this season’s squad has the ability to push the ball in transition and take open threes based on the team’s physical play, athleticism and shooting ability.
Pressure defense in the full and half court, combined with rugged rebounding capability, should ignite the Golden Knights' transition game. Northmor will alter between a zone and man-to-man defense.
Areas of improvement this season include the Golden Knights' ability to limit turnovers, reduce the high rate of fouling and improve their free throw percentage of 56.7% last season.
The Golden Knights will build on five returning letter winners this season, including Max Lower and Grant Bentley.
“We have a great group of guys this year,” Tackett said. “Max Lower is our only senior, and he will have a major role.” Lower (6’2”, 225) was the team’s leading rebounder last season, averaging 8.2 rebounds per game; he also had 28 steals.
Grant Bentley heads up the core of Northmor’s team.
“We have a great group of juniors with Grant that will all have major roles," Tackett said.
Bentley, who led the team in scoring last season, averaging 15.8 points per game while contributing 1.9 steals per game, is a catalyst.
“He was first-team all-conference, first-team all-district, and honorable mention All-Ohio last year,” Tackett said. “I look for him to pick up where he left off.”
In addition to Bentley and Lower, the Golden Knights will rely on juniors Caleb Schnuerer, Hunter Fulk, Isaac Black, Drew Hammond and Bryson Keirns ro carry the load.
Another young addition looks to move the Golden Knights program forward.
“We also have a sophomore point guard, Jaxson Wenger, whom I fully expect to turn heads this year with his overall basketball IQ and ability,” Tackett said.
Nonconference games include matchups with several Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference teams as well as a trip to Colonel Crawford, who lost in last season’s Division III regional final.
The Golden Knights opened their KMAC conference season on Nov. 29, with a tough 2-point loss to Centerburg.
