After Gonzaga College High School started the second half with a 9-0 run in an early February matchup at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, Coach Steve Turner sat and intensely looked at his huddled players during the opponent’s timeout.“Be who you are supposed to be,” he told the team.Turner’s consistent expectancy of selfless effort despite the scoreboard has landed Gonzaga the second seed in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC).
They begin the playoffs Saturday at Gallaudet University against an opponent still to be determined. The four-time WCAC champions are seeking redemption after losing last year’s final to St. Paul VI Catholic High School. Turner believes the Eagles exceeded expectations last season as a “young team.” Senior starters, guards Derek Dixon, Nykolas Lewis, Will Harper, forward Alex Touomou, and center Christian Gurdak started last year’s championship game as juniors.Will Harper says coach Turner’s passion makes basketball and off-court endeavors “easier.” (Courtesy of Gonzaga Athletics)“What gives me hope this year is that I got a team that was there last year,” Turner said. “They know what it feels like not to win a game they believed they could have won.” After Monday’s 72-55 season-finale upset loss to DeMatha Catholic High School, Harper reflected on this season and trusts the experience the Eagles have garnered this past year will serve them well in the conference playoffs. “We’ve been here before and we’re ready for the playoffs,” said Harper, a University of Richmond commit. “Now we just got to show it.”
With experience comes growth and this season’s maturation process included learning new offensive and defensive sets. Assistant coach Roger Garfield revealed that Gonzaga used the 2-3 defensive zone more regularly this season. Turner also added horn sets and the floppy action on offense, a common NBA play call. The head coach uses basketball camps, his time with USA Basketball, and meetings with other coaches during the summer to acquire fresh concepts. He said he desires to “bring things back to try and help my guys get better.”However, one’s improvement has a direct relationship with one’s receptiveness to feedback. To Garfield, the seniors’ starters’ ability to heed correction distinguishes them from last year.“They all have thicker skin,” Garfield said. “Last year, I think they were a little bit more thin-skinned, and this year, they can take more criticism.”Garfield believes their capacity for accountability from one another increased as well.
“When things wouldn’t go our way, we kind of went in five different directions, and we wouldn’t really talk,” Garfield said. “This year, you’re seeing more communication. When we’ve had tough moments, we are coming together, sharing honest trust (and) holding each other accountable.”Touomou said he gained confidence from his teammates’ continual motivation during practices. The Harvard University commit labeled his improvement alongside his teammates, who he called “his guys,” as one of the best components of the season. Turner has coached at Gonzaga for 26 years, serving five as an assistant and the remaining as head coach. His team’s openness and fortified bond encourages the five-time WCAC coach of the year to remain on I Street NW for the foreseeable future.“Their connectivity makes walking in the gym and coaching them fun,” Turner said. “Their ability to listen to us coaches and then go out and show they can execute it instills energy into me daily.”A reciprocal outpour occurs as Turner’s energy infuses an ambitious spirit within his players.
“When you have a coach that wants it just as bad as you do, it makes basketball and off the court even easier,” Harper said. “He’s given us everything he got every day, so we have no choice but to give the same back to him.” Garfield believes each starter has improved skill wise since last season but applauded Lewis for blossoming into a more effective leader. The Xavier University commit credits Turner for teaching him how to lead.“He’s given me an opportunity at a great school that’s taken my game to the next level, not only on the basketball court but making me a better person overall,” Lewis said. “I’ve learned leadership qualities on how to run and lead a team that I’ll need for the next level.”Lewis said Turner has also taught him to be a better man in school and pay better attention in the classroom. “I just want to help young men get an opportunity to use the sport that’s going to take them further in life than anything else,” Turner said. “And if this can be the avenue to get them to go to college and get a great degree, this is what I want to help them do.”
‘Next-Play Mentality’All five starters have received athletic scholarships to Division I schools, with Dixon committing to North Carolina and Gurdak to Virginia Tech. Before they ultimately set their sights on college, the seniors hope to attain a fifth conference title for Gonzaga. Turner said the team spent the season’s final few weeks learning “how to understand next-play mentality.” Toward the end of the first quarter in an early February home matchup against Archbishop Carroll High School, Gonzaga forward Carter Meadows was fouled on a successful field goal attempt. Turner briskly walked to Touomou on the bench and said, “Get your head in the game.”Touomou immediately hit a three when he returned to the court. Moments like Touomou’s give Lewis affirmation that adversity won’t stifle the Eagles’ quest for a conference championship.“We respond to adversity and turn it around quickly,” Lewis said. “Coach Turner gives us a message, and we’ve taken it, turned it around, and used it for good.” After a lackluster performance Monday, Harper was reminded of his coach’s consistent message to always surrender all on the court. Dixon added that his team needed more “energy” come Saturday. “Last year losing in the championship hurt, so we know the feeling of losing,” Dixon said. “We hate losing, so we are going to make sure that’s different (in the playoffs).”Gonzaga’s confidence reassures Turner that his team’s focus remains resolute.“This team is on a mission,” Turner said. “Stars still have to align, and some favors from God probably have to play into it, but I know this team is going to leave everything they got on the floor to give themselves the best chance to do it.”
Source: Washington Informer
