Team Workout Series: Northwestern
Ron Bailey, Publisher
Wildcats handled tragedy last year, and could make some noise in 2009-2010.
November 2, 2009 - There are times in the lives of people and organizations where events produce possibly cataclysmic results, where both entities could either crumble, or grow stronger. Last year's untimely death of Gerald Moore was just such an event for both Northwestern High School and its players.
Moore, who garnered Maryland state championships in 2003 and 2004 with Friendly High School had returned to coaching two years before his passing. Northwestern, a school in Adelphi, Maryland that itself won a state chip in 2004, had fallen on hard times basketball-wise, and Moore, a proven teacher of the game that relished that aspect of coaching was expected to revitalize the program. Off the floor, he mentored and befriended many young players.
Khalil Tate, a shooter, can also pat the rock.
"It was tough on all the kids last year, but we have to give credit to all our seniors last year" said Jeff Lindsey, a fifth year assistant coach at Northwestern that took over after Moore transcended. "We had eight seniors (one was academically ineligible to play) last year, and they really bonded. We had a family atmosphere. They all went off to school...shows you what kind of kids they are. First class.
In 2009-2010, Lindsey opined of Northwestern, whose head coach now Terrance Burks, a former junior varsity bench leader, "We should be pretty good this year to tell you the truth. We have a good nucleus. We have our point guard back. It always starts there".
He would be referencing junior Toure Somerville, who will help lead the Wildcats along with a senior and junior. More on them later, but Lindsey dubbed the trio "go-to ball players".
The team will have to jell early, as the Prince Georges 4A league, though lacking a pre-season powerhouse, does boast a number of tough, talented squads. Lindsey agreed with that assessment: I think the 4A is going to be good...Wise is tough, Bowie is a sleeper. Bladensburg is small but those guys are scrappy. Laurel is always going to be there. It's going to be a strong league - top to bottom".
Toure Somerville is a tough as nails floor leader.
The Wildcats unofficially take the floor against opponents November 20th and 24th, when they scrimmage Friendship Collegiate and Princeton Day, respectively. December 2nd holds another scrimmage, this time with DCIAA favorite Ballou.
The season officially begins with the Gerald Moore Memorial Classic December 6th, and on December 19th the Wildcats will participate in holiday confab at Riverdale Baptist. Baltimore City's preseason favorite and a strong chance to repeat as state champs, Lake Clifton, is played in January, according to Lindsey.
The coach also hinted this years' Northwestern Wildcats "are going to be up and down" offensively, and press when stopping people. "We just are going to go after it" he summed, before sharing "Defense is going to be key to all our success".
Following are some of the players that will be instrumental in achieving it.
Kahlil Tate - 6'2", 175 pound senior guard - As
Northwestern's leading scorer at 16 points a game last season, this shooter,
per Lindsey, is getting some attention from "American and Bucket"
in addition to "A couple of D-II and D-III looks. Possessing a 4.2
GPA, Tate puts academics first, and in doing is creating college options
for himself both academically and athletically.
Obie Oleka, boxing out, is also a threat from the perimeter.
Toure Somerville - 5'8", 165 pound junior guard - Lindsey correctly labeled Toure "One of the top point guards in the area", as he's "an open court player that can set the table for you". This pass-first lead man attended Northwestern as a freshman - averaging 30 minutes a game - before transferring to Veritas (NC) for his sophomore campaign. Having returned last spring, Somerville brings the collegiate interest he developed with Kids First Basketball (AAU); the likes of Fordham and Baylor are interested, in addition to a slew of Division II schools are intrigued. Maryland assistant coach Chuck Drisell recently contacted the school, expressing a little interest.
Obie Oleka - 6'6", 200 pound junior forward - Possessing length and athletic ability, Oleka has a high upside, which has been noticed on the AAU circuit with Kids First by UMBC and Jacksonville. Oleka has only played organized ball since entering Northwestern, yet can rebound and block shots at a high level when focused. He's also capable of hitting outside shots out to pass three point land, a skill which Lindsey thinks will be utilized by Northwestern this year.
Michael Reynolds - 5'9", 135 pound senior guard - Leadership is Reynolds' forte, along with heady play.
Paul Fon - 5'9", 150 pound senior guard - Fon can sky, which allows him to snare rebounds despite his height.