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DEL.ICIO.USMuhammad’s game matures to match new role
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Running the point for Norcross is not like running the point anywhere else in Georgia. With the Blue Devils, each year brings the expectation of a championship — even if three seniors graduate to play Division I basketball.
No one knows this better than Taariq Muhammad, Norcross’ junior floor leader whose responsibility switched from last year’s don’t mess things up to this year’s make things happen.
It is a drastic alteration in a number of ways, and yet Muhammad has made it with the deftness of a savant. Norcross (8-1) remains No. 1 in the state and is ranked nationally in several polls, and a significant reason for such a lofty position rests with Muhammad.
The growth in his game from a year ago, when he was surrounded by luminous talent and required to do less, is subtly commendable. It’s not like he has morphed into a Louis Williams (formerly of South Gwinnett) or a Chris Allen (late of Meadowcreek).
Rather, he puts together one solid performance after another, a spectacularly steady performer in leadership and effort. Forward Al-Farouq Aminu, who has signed with Wake Forest, is Norcross’ best player. Muhummad might be the Blue Devils’ most indispensable.
How? Because if Muhammad is not running the offense, setting up teammates, applying defensive ball pressure or functioning as an extension of coach Eddie Martin, Norcross would have little on-court direction.
“Taariq is a Division I guard,” said Martin. “He understands the game, how to play. With the players we lost, it’s important for him to be a leader for us. And that’s what he has been.”
Moreover, he eagerly accepted the responsibility, understanding it would be a lot different without Gani Lawal (Georgia Tech), Jordan DeMercy (Florida State) and Tony Neismith (Oklahoma) from last season’s AAAAA title team.
“We live with expectations of a championship,” said Muhammad, who averages about 15 points and 9 assists a game. “We play in front of big crowds because people know the kind of team we are, every year. So, it’s more of a challenge for me this year. My role is one with more responsibility now.
“I have to be a leader now, and as a leader I have to come with it every night. We have a tradition of making the championship, and I have to be a leader by example in order for us to get back there.”
The 6-foot-1, 170-pound guard plays with a confidence and desperation that others can learn from, if they are willing to make the commitment.
Muhammad will sacrifice his body through taking charges and diving for loose balls. He’ll also run the club with supreme self-esteem, a we-won’t-lose attitude that permeates the team.
And now that he continues to develop a consistent jump shot, Muhammad will go down as one of the Norcross all-time stars before he is done.
“That’s a long ways off,” he said. “I have a lot to work on and I have a lot of strengths. I use my strengths and work on my weakness, which really is getting stronger and my jump shot.”
He participates in the Norcross weight-training program and does extra lifting after practice. He shot hundreds of jump shots a day in the summer and now. He understands the magnitude of running point for Norcross.
“It’s a big job,” said Muhammad, who has received college interest from Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Miami, Clemson and many others, “but it’s the only one I want. It’s humbling. And it’s all about winning, doing what it takes to win. That’s what’s expected. And that’s what I expect from myself.”
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Curtis Bunn
Comments
By devil lover
January 3, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
The devils have an excellent opportunity this yr to be the first team since 1940 in the highest level to have three consecutive championship titles. It will not be easy because of the competition from wheeler, centennial, marietta, savannah, johnson and others. It will take an outstanding yr by Taariq and Al-Farouq. However more importantly will be the play from the other players especially the second team who will have to play some good minutes this yr.
By Bball Fan
January 4, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
i am picking wheeler to run the table. no more norcross. wheeler should have won last yr got a bad call in the norcross game.
By James
January 5, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
I lived in Atlanta but now live in Savannah. Savannah High is the best team in this area, but they will have trouble with the Atlanta teams superior skill and size up front. SHS center, Brad Williams is not getting it done and is not dealing well with criticism from the SHS fans. Their guards can play with anyone in the state. Instead of playing some of the Atlanta teams during the holiday tournaments, they went to Florida where the competition is weak. I predict that they will only get to the final eight. Johnson High of Savannah has a good front line but is not consistent and cannot win big games. Beach High is finished because their best player, James Fields just transferred to a private school so that he can graduate and keep his scholarship to GA State. He cannot pass the graduation test as the same with several at Johnson. Fields made a good move becasue it shows that he is thinking about his future and d on’t want to be like several of his former teammates who had to go to prep school or are walking the streets doing nothing.
By devil lover
January 5, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Hey James, who is the better team SHS or Johnson? Didn’t SHS beat Johnson earlier this yr?