Youngest Sullinger may be bad news for foes
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]By NAT LATHY [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]A family name can be associated with great success, or great failure. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]There have been two players with the last name Sullinger who have thrived in basketball at the high school and collegiate level. J.J. starred at Thomas Worthington and went to play at the University of Arkansas and Ohio State. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]His younger brother Julian starred at Northland, and is now working his way up the ladder at Kent State as a sophomore.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Maybe it's not a thrilling prospect for the opposition, but hoops observers now have their eye on another Sullinger, Jared. He's a freshman at Northland, likely to play on the varsity team next season. Sullinger, a 6-6 post, doesn't see playing for the Vikings so early as an overwhelming situation even with the name he carries. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"My brothers and my dad made the name," he said. "I'm looking forward to it. I'm coming on as a freshman, so they're not looking for big things right away. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"The team wants me to make an impact in rebounding not scoring. I'm not going to be one of the main guys next year."[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Playing for Northland means Jared will play for his father Satch Sullinger, who's coached the Vikings the last six seasons. It's not new territory for the Sullinger clan. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"My brother Jules did it," Jared said. "I plan on following his footsteps and doing it in a way where there's no conflict at home or on the court."[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Jared considers his game to be more like Julian's than J.J.'s, since Julian was more of an inside player. J.J. has played guard at various levels through high school and college. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Jared has played plenty of times with his brothers one-on-one. And he is happy with the input they give him about his game. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"They help with everything I do wrong," he said. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Vikings appear to be aiming high for next season. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"We're pretty much looking to win the City championship and maybe a little bit more," Jared said. "We feel it's more our year. We're expecting big things out of the people we've got."[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Jared will be new to the City League, but he's familiar with the balance of power including the success defending City overall champion Brookhaven has had.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"There's also Beechcroft and Mifflin," he said. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"He's much further ahead than I thought he would be at this time," Satch said. "He's been progressing. He's been playing some big minutes. He's going to have to make the weight room his friend."[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The coach doesn't see the family name as a source of pressure for any of his sons.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"I've raised them all to be their own individuals," Satch said. "As long as he does it for himself there should be no pressure. You just do as well as you can."[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It can be an asset for Jared having brothers who've done well, Satch said.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"He's got a little bit from both of them," said the coach. "He can get a little bit ahead of the curve." [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Northland's team is well suited for the next phase of Jared's career.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"We're so deep that he doesn't have to be on the floor, when he's not ready," Satch said. "These guys have been there last year. They can make it easier for him, because they can play big minutes he can't play."[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]There's a learning curve for players new to varsity play.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"He's going to be going against 18-year old seniors," the coach said. "There's only one way to get experience, that's to get experience in the situation. As the season goes on he'll earn his wings." [/FONT]
Dispatch
Will be in attendence this weekend for The Game.
