Athlete Profile: Nick Sherman

SHAWANO — The Shawano Community High School boys basketball team is off to a strong start to its season, with senior Nick Sherman playing a big role in the team’s success.

Sherman can score from just about any spot from the 3-point line and in, while also being able to convert amongst taller players in the paint. The senior guard can also set up his teammates and helps his team play strong defense.

“Nick is both a great basketball player and great leader for us on and off the floor,” said Shawano coach David Ambrosius. “He brings a high level of focus and energy with him every day to practice and the games. That leadership and energy level has been instrumental to our early season success this year.”

Shawano’s season started with tight nonconference wins over Rhinelander and Clintonville, with Sherman averaging 23 points across the two games. Sherman hit the game-winning free throw against Rhinelander before knocking down the winning shot against Clintonville in overtime.

In a lopsided nonconference win over Pulaski, Sherman tallied 15 points. The senior scored 17 points in the team’s Bay Conference victory over Green Bay West on Tuesday.

Q: When did your interest in basketball begin?

A: I first got into basketball around the age of 4 or 5 through my dad (Todd Sherman) when we would play on a hoop in my driveway. We would always play PIG, but he would never go easy on me. I always had to win at least one game before we went inside.

Q: What is your favorite part about the basketball season?

A: It’s got to be just being around the guys. We are really close this year, and we have a lot of fun on and off the court. During practice, we work hard, but we make sure to have fun at the same time.

Q: How did you prepare for the season?

A: This last spring and summer, I played on an AAU team out of the Fox Valley and we went to tournaments in Chicago and Milwaukee. I played against a lot of high-level competition to prepare myself for this year. I also played with our summer league team throughout the summer at the weekly games and going to open gyms.

Q: Your team is off to a strong start already this winter. What’s worked well so far to allow for that start?

A: As a team, our intensity, in general, has increased greatly from last season but especially on defense. We are creating a lot of havoc and playing the game at our own pace, which allows us to — even when down — to go on big runs.

Q: As the season moves on, what kinds of things does the team need to continue working on?

A: There is always room for improvement on defense, and I think that will be the key to us winning games. Also, we have to continue to make strides in being more efficient offensively by making the open looks we get and capitalizing on the turnovers we create.

Q: What has been your favorite memory from your time on the Shawano boys basketball team?

A: When we swept Seymour my freshman year at Seymour in all levels and everyone celebrated in the locker room.

Q: What are you going to miss most about high school basketball?

A: I’ll miss the guys I played with, especially the underclassmen throughout my years of playing basketball. I’ve made a lot of close friends and guys I would call brothers. It will be hard to walk away at the end of the season knowing that I don’t get to step out there and play with all of them again and wearing Shawano across my chest.

Q: Favorite TV shows, movies and musical artists?

A: Favorite TV show has got to be “Friends” or “How I Met Your Mother.” My favorite movie, got to go with “Space Jam.” My favorite musical artist has to be Florida Georgia Line and Rascal Flatts.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.

A: If I could do anything in the whole world, I would go duck hunting with my black lab Max.

Q: What’s the greatest piece of advice you have ever been told?

A: Hard work and determination beats skill every day of the week.

Q: What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating from high school?

A: I hope to go to college and play basketball while studying bio-medical engineering and eventually graduating with a bachelor’s degree.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Nick Sherman

Sport: Boys basketball

Position: Guard

School: Shawano Community High School

Year: Senior