Turner, Silver lead Northwest, earn All Area awards
When Tariq Silver arrived at Northwest last year as a junior, Vikings coach Vincent Turner knew he had a catalyst for any future program success.
Silver was a 6-foot-5 forward with guard skills and Turner decided he wanted to commit Sliver to the backcourt fulltime. It took some time to adjust as Silver had to change his game from primarily a post player to one who plays on the perimeter but the transition worked.
As a senior, Silver was among District 10's top players, earning All District honors, District 10 MVP and was named All State this season by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association. Now Silver can add The Leaf-Chronicle All Area Boys Basketball Player of the Year honor to that list.
Northwest finished second in the district standings, capturing the program's first district tournament title in 22 years. Leading the charge was Turner who was named The All Area Boys Basketball Coach of the Year. Both awards were voted on by The Leaf-Chronicle sports staff while the All Area Boys Basketball Team was selected by the area athletic directors.
"Changing from foward to guard wasn't too difficult but what was hard was changing to point guard," Silver said. "I had to learn how to get my teammates involved and set up our offense. In years past, I would go down court and wait for the offense to start and then get the ball. As a point guard, I was coming up court with the ball already and had to start our offense and get guys in the right spots and then distribute the ball."
Silver transfered to Northwest after playing two years under Ted Young at Clarksville High. Turner said he sat down with Silver when he arrived and asked his new star if he trusted him. Turner helped Silver adjust his shooting mechanics to develop a more consistent, deeper and quicker shot.
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"That took a while to get used to," Silver said. "At first, I struggled with my shot and for a while I thought I was being ruined as a shooter. But then it started to click for me and then when I became a better outside shooter, the entire game opened up for me."
Silver averaged 22 points, eight rebounds and five assists a game for Turner and the Vikings. Northwest finished the season 20-7, losing to Beech in the first round of the Region 5 tournament.
But Turner had watched a talented group finally live up to the expectations he's had since he arrived at Northwest four years ago.
"This was the first team where I can honestly say they were like family," Turner said. "They joked together, they laughed together and spent time together. We've had talented teams in the past but none were as close as this group was."
This was the best season that Turner has had in terms of record. Two years ago, he had a team that reached the region semifinal game but that team amassed 18 wins. This year's team split the regular season with regular-season district champs Springfield then beat the Yellow Jackets in the district championship.
"I told our kids you have to give up the 'me' for the 'we'," Turner said. "Tariq gets all the points and the dunks but we're nowhere without players like Gabe (Sebert) or Isaiah (McCoin). They would have loved to score 20 a game but they understood their role on the team and accepted it for the greater good of the team."
Reach Prep writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com or (931) 245-0747 and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.
PROFILE
All Area Boys Player of the Year
Tariq Silver , Northwest High
Class: Senior
Stats: 22 PPG, 8 RPG, 5 APG. All District, All Tournament, All State (TSWA)
All Area Boys Coach of the Year
Vincent Turner , Northwest High (4th year)
2016-17 record: 20-7
Postseason: District 10 champs, Region 5 tournament