|
|
|
|
Friday, February 1, 2008
Wicked
Central Indiana, IN
|
|
|
Southport senior guard Corey Wickware has been through some tough seasons in his first three years as a Cardinal. Now, as the team tries to get over the hump, HSSTM’s Dave McConnell sits down with Wickware to discuss Southport’s tradition, the past struggles of losing seasons and the unforgiving world of college recruiting.
McConnell: You’re now in your fourth year starting for the varsity team at Southport, and you’ve been through many ups and downs. What does this place mean to you now?
Wickware: At Southport, we have a lot of tradition here and we’re trying to bring that tradition back. The program has fallen off a little bit. (Before my freshman year) I thought I wanted to go to a different school, but then I decided to stay here because I wanted to be my own person. This is one of the greatest gyms in Indiana and it’s one of the best traditions around, and I realized this is where I want to play.
McConnell: I assume you’re happy with that decision to not transfer?
Wickware: I’m happy because I can be my own person and be a ball player. I didn’t have to go to a situation where I’d come off the bench and be a role player. Here, I’ve had the chance to use my abilities and hopefully make other people better, too.
McConnell: You mentioned the tradition here at Southport, which includes 21 sectional titles and Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame inductees Bill Springer (former coach) and Louie Dampier (former Indiana All-Star and University of Kentucky standout). However, the school has had just one sectional title since 1994. How have you and your teammates learned about the tradition here?
Wickware: Some of the old players still come around here and play at some open gyms with us. They all talk about how they were so good, how they used to win and how the coaches never used to take slack from the players like they do now. I don’t like when people talk trash about how we’re losing and we don’t have any heart because it’s not true. We’ve been working really hard; it’s just that we haven’t had the experience in the past with some of the players.
McConnell: Prior to this season, your teams have a combined record of 22-42 over the past three years. As you just eluded to, that doesn’t mean you aren’t putting forth your best effort. Most of us in the media are guilty of only talking about and highlighting the wins, but have you learned from losing?
Wickware: Man, it’s tough. It’s really tough losing a lot of games. It’s like somebody breaking into your home and stealing everything you’ve got. It just gets more difficult because then you’re trying to come back from a five-game losing streak and it just builds up that feeling. But such as life, you have to fail sometimes and have some negatives to learn from.
McConnell: And you’ve become stronger because of that?
Wickware: Yeah, definitely mentally stronger and more wise to the game…just learning from mistakes. The wins are that much better. It takes a lot of weight off your back – a big monkey off your back.
McConnell: There’s no doubt you’ve been a solid player at point guard, averaging 17 points and 4.5 assists per game this season. But you’re not a tall guy, listed at 5-foot-10, and let’s be honest – you’re probably 5-10 on a small stepladder. How do you overcome your size and use it to your advantage?
Wickware: I utilize my size with my speed. Most of the guys guarding me or picking me up on the inside can’t get too low. Getting low usually lets me get that step around most guys.
McConnell: And I’m sure that’s something you’ve developed through the years. How else has your game changed since playing as a freshman?
Wickware: My freshman year I really didn’t have a jump shot at all, so obviously I’ve been working on that and I think I’ve developed a lot better jump shot. My ball handling is definitely better, but most of all, I think it’s my decision making this year. I used to want to speed my game up instead of just letting it come to me.
McConnell: Even with your well-rounded game, including a self-professed concentration on the defensive end, you’re not getting many serious looks for the college level? Why do you think that is?
Wickware: It has been a struggle. I was getting looked at by a few schools like Xavier, Ball St. and Boston University and I guess my AAU season just killed me. People say that my AAU coach didn’t utilize me to my abilities. I’m probably the last guy on my AAU team that hasn’t been signed, or one of the last. It’s hard and you feel a little bit slighted I guess.
McConnell: Undoubtedly, you’re not the only student-athlete around the area that has these obstacles and feels this way. What advice would you give a sophomore or junior that might be in a similar situation?
Wickware: Work hard. Just buckle down and play your hardest every game and every play and you’ll get noticed. I figure that if we are winning ball games, the college coaches will come.
McConnell: Speaking of winning ball games, your squad is off to the school’s best start since the 1995-96 season as you’ve started 6-3 heading into the Marion County Tournament. Is there a different tone around the gym and school these days?
Wickware: There’s not a lot of criticizing anymore, not as much as the past couple years. People come around now and come to games.
McConnell: And it was announced earlier this season that Southport will be hosting a regional this season, along with the semistate round again like in the past. What was your first reaction when you heard about the regional on your home floor?
Wickware: I had a big old smile on my face. I love it here. I love the crowd and I like playing in big gyms. Of course, we have to worry about sectionals first, but we want to come back here. The guys talk about, come on, this is our house and we want to be here. We should be here at regionals, it’s as simple as that.
McConnell: So what’s the biggest thing that has to change this season in order to finally win the sectional again?
Wickware: Taking care of the ball. That has to be it.
McConnell: How much of that is on you personally?
Wickware: A lot. I have to handle the ball and handle the pressure of getting my teammates in the right places.
McConnell: And you’re cool with that?
Wickware: Yeah, I’m cool with that.
|
|
| No comments added! Click [ add a comment ] to be the first! |
|
|
|
|
|
With swim meets beginning this month, how does preseason and early season training differ from offseason training? What are the...
More 
Archives
|
|
|
|
Khristian Smith
Khristian Smith has only scratched the surface of his vast potential. Considered a breakout candidate, the 6-foot-5 junior is projected...
More
Archives
|
|
|
 ™
|
|
A collection of this month's best action photos.
|
|
|
 ™
|
|
Part-Time Jobs 101: Tips to Help You Get the Job You Want
by: By Elizabeth Crouch, Learn More Indiana
Getting a part-time job while you are in high school provides valuable real-world experience and may help you save some money for college. Finding work...
More
|
The Missing Link
by: By Dr. Todd McDougle
As a doctor, I consistently look at what happens to my patients and determine the best measures to help them perform better either before or...
More
|
Archives
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to upgrade your Flash Player to version 9 or newer.
|
|
|
|
™
®
