Interview With Coach Joe Luce

Understand one thing: Marion High Coach Joe Luce knows basketball. We were privileged with the chance to talk to Coach Luce for quite a while this morning about NC State commit Scott Wood. In our short conversation, I gained a lot of respect for his knowledge of the game. He is the head coach of a program that has spawned out basketball giants and continually sends kids to the next level. Coach Luce led his squad to their 21st North Central Conference Championship this season, which happens to be a record. He believes in Coach Lowe and the direction in which he is guiding NC State's program. Thanks again to Coach Luce for his time! Here is how the conversation broke down:


WolfpackHoops: Coach Luce, tell us a little bit about Scott Wood.

Coach Luce: First of all we have had an unbelievable tradition here at Marion. Zach Randolph who is now on the Portland Trailblazers and Jay Edwards who was an All-American at the University of Indiana both came through the program. Scott Wood when its all said and done will be one of the greats to ever play here. He is a fan favorite and a role model to all of the youth in Marion. He’s an unbelievable student. To be honest, sometimes you are wondering if the kid has any faults in his character. Scott's game is truly defined by his character.
Scott is a fabulous shooter. When he was 10 years old he was the National runner-up in the Elks Hoops Shoot competition. In the competition each contestant had to shoot 25 free throws and I think Scott hit 24 and came in second.
Scott is averaging 26ppg and he could average 46ppg if we needed him to. Earlier this year we had to dismiss our starting point guard from the team and Scott slid right in and has run the point for us most of the year. As a result he has changed his game from being just a shooter to an all-around player. Scott is the type of player that will do whatever needs to be done in order for his team to win the game. Scott has stepped up as the verbal leader of the team this year. In the past Julius Mays was the leader and Scott had more of a complimentary role. Scott typically doesn't say a lot and lets his actions speak for themselves, but this year he is the guy pulling the guys into the huddle and the verbal leader on the court.



WolfpackHoops: What do you think it was about NC State that Scott was drawn to?

Coach Luce: The only reason Scott ends up at NC State is because of the phenomenal job Coach Towe did. He got Coach Lowe involved very quickly and they developed a solid relationship with him before anyone else in the country. Scott had a very average to poor AAU season before his Junior season. This led other schools like Indiana, Purdue, Notre Dame, and Pittsburgh to remain lukewarm and unwilling to offer a scholarship. Coach Towe and Coach Lowe saw something in Scott from the very beginning and told me that they could see this young man getting paid good money to play this game one day. I've seen a lot of players go through the recruiting process and I have to say that Coach Lowe and his staff are the most honest and genuine that I have ever dealt with.
Scott committed to NC State because he wanted to go to a school that he believed could win championships in the future. He believes in Coach Lowe's vision and he is also excited about the talent that is coming into the program.

WolfpackHoops: What does Scott need to do in the off-season to get ready for next year?

Coach Luce: First you need to understand that Scott is not afraid to work. Whatever it takes for Scott to get on the court next year, Scott will do it. In my humble opinion he needs to put on weight and he needs to put on strength. Another thing, his father stands 6’8 and his mom is 5’11. His dad also grew six inches his freshmen year in college. I know this is speculation, but we could have a kid on our hands that is 6’9 at one point. With all this being said I believe that he could play in a college game right now even at his current weight and size. He knows how to be in the right position and he uses his body well.

WolfpackHoops: How do you foresee Scott playing at the next level?

Coach Luce: Plain and simple, Scott is a scorer and he has an unbelievable touch. He has averaged 26ppg this season with no playmakers on the team. Next year he will have someone create shots for him. He will become more of a 3-point threat again in college. Four years from now he will be one of the biggest sleepers NC State has recruited in a while.


WolfpackHoops: We like what we have seen out of Julius Mays so far in his freshman campaign. Tell us a little bit about Julius.

Coach Luce: Look, you haven't even seen the tip of the iceberg with Julius Mays. I talk to him all the time and he is loving his time down there. He is being patient and knows that his time will come. He loves learning under two of the best college point guards to ever play the game in Coach Lowe and Coach Towe. You need to understand something else about Julius and Scott. These kids are winners. Their winning percentage at Marion was pretty amazing. It is all these kids know.