At our school, sports are more than just games — they’re a family affair.
Meet Coach Bo Patton and Coach Darian Straughter, two dedicated siblings who will be leading the boys and girls basketball programs this season.
“Yes, we’re a basketball family,” Coach Straughter said. “Basketball is always a part of the conversation. We’ve talked about things we want to do together while we’re both coaching here. Basketball is alway a topic of discussion.”
Coach Patton said the conversation definitely revolves around basketball.
“We talk about the NBA , our teams, the things we currently do, and things we can do together. Basketball is life in our family,” he said.
After the departure of Coach Kelly Kratz, Coach Straughter is taking over as the girls head coach, returning after a successful three-year run as coach at Highland High School.
“Personally, I came back because of what all was given to me when I attended and played for Merrillville, so to be able to come back to the school that gave me so much was an honor,” she said.
“My plans for this upcoming season are to start by building a winning culture, one that the girls would want to be a part of. [Also,] to build relationships and to hopefully bring home a state championship.”
She joins her brother who has been coaching the boys team since 2020.
“This is one of the places that helped and shaped me into who I am today,” Coach Patton said. “It was very important that I play a vital part in shaping the next future leaders and athletes of Merrillville high school.”
Coach Patton is looking for success on and off the court.
He said his goals are “to keep building on our success from previous years, especially last year. To keep putting out high character student-athletes, build good sportsmanship, and we want to win conference, sectionals, regionals, semi-state, and state! Last year was an awesome start to what I believe is going to be years of great success.”
Coach Straughter said having her big brother around doesn’t put any extra pressure on her.
“He does hold me accountable,” she said. “I definitely look up to him in a lot of different ways when it comes to basketball and our brother-sister relationship. I’m appreciative of the example he shows, but I wouldn’t say pressure is something he puts on me.”
