With the game on the line, Coach Patton asked who wanted to take the last-second shot, and Aidan Dilosa didn’t hesitate.
“I raised my hand because I felt really good. I knew I was going to make the shot and the game-winning play. I caught the ball, I saw my teammate clear out, I saw the pressure so I did a spin move and then I just saw the shot. It was wide open. It felt good coming off the hands and I knew it was pure,” said Dilosa.
This game deciding shot helped Merrillville basketball get a spark of motivation after an 0-2 start to the season.
“It really got us hyped up going into the next game which is Battle of Broadway,” Dilosa said.
This type of leadership is what coach Bo Patton is looking for after losing multiple key players last year.
“I’m also looking for a coach on the court, our best years that we have won,” Coach Patton said. “Even last year Jaeden Williams he was pretty much the coach on the court. Players win games, not coaches so were looking for someone to be that coach on the court.”
The coach also sees something special about this year’s team compared with previous years.
“This team has depth. Last year I felt like we were 7-8 deep, this year I feel as if we can go 9-10 deep. Also a lot of versatility, but we have to find what our identity is and what we do well,” Coach Patton said.
Merrillville seniors have also taken a bigger role this year with it being a majority new team.
“I’ve been a leader for about two years now, you gotta step into a bigger role to be a good leader,” Senior Kelvion Brown said. “Having good communication skills, understanding games and situations, and being a big brother to the new guys on the squad.”
While getting a lot of support from seniors and staff, the new Pirates still have high expectations on their shoulders,
“We have always had a young team, but this year is really a young team except for players like me and Aidan Dilosa, so they’re going to have to learn the game quickly because it’s not going to be easy,” Brown said.
The Pirates have freshman guard Charles Hardiman who has embraced the pressure as the only freshman on varsity this season.
“We’re taking it day by day with Charles. Coming from Pierce to playing varsity level basketball is not easy but Charles has been great,” Coach Patton said. “He’s earned that spot, it wasn’t given to him. With his work ethic and drive to win. Although he is a freshman, he is mature beyond his years and the seniors have embraced it, so it should be a good season for him.”
Hardiman is coming in with high expectations for himself.
“I expect to be a leader. Be the best version of myself, which is when I’m confident, communicating, and being a leader and playing basketball effectively. Also stay true to who I am and do what I have to do to win and lead my team,” said Hardiman
He admits to feeling a little pressure being the only freshman on varsity.
“But I don’t allow it to affect my game,” he said. “I’m still able to lock in, focus and work hard because I know what type of player I am and I can be.”
