Fast times ahead: New coach preaches running, gunning

Last spring at the IHSA state basketball tournament in Peoria, Ryan Brown was asked by a gentleman to help him find his seat in Carver Arena.

The man thought the young-looking Brown was an arena employee, when he was actually there to coach Annawan in its quest for a Class 1A championship.

The Braves ended up fourth, and Brown, after posting an 80-44 record in four seasons at the school, made the jump to Sterling in May after Peter Goff took the head job at Bloomington.

“When I found out that Coach Goff was leaving, I thought this might be a good opportunity for me to move up,” Brown said. “I had some familiarity with the Sterling basketball players in the past, so sure, I’m very excited to be here.”

Brown, 29, who has coached a number of area players in AAU basketball, will bring a new look to the Golden Warriors. The halfcourt, set-it-up style used by Goff is being replaced by a fast-breaking, attacking offense.

As one might expect, there will be an adjustment period.

“To try to turn these kids’ minds from setting up the offense to going right into fast-break and trying to take the first good shot that we can get is kind of a change for them,” Brown said. “I might be right, I might be wrong, but whatever the case is, that’s how I believe basketball should be played.”

The players seem to be embracing the new style.

“I think our team has really adapted well to the change,” senior guard Drew Neubauer said. “I think it’s the right offense for us. I think it’s really helped out our team, and I can see us making a deep run and having a successful season.”

Senior forward Alec Monaghan, who saw limited minutes behind Dustin Fritsch and Josh Feldthouse a year ago, noted the faster pace will be more like what he played at Prince of Peace in Clinton, before moving to Sterling prior to his junior year.

“I think I’m an athletic kid for my size,” the 6-foot-7 Monaghan said. “I love running, getting up and down the court. I’m just looking forward to showing everybody what I can do.”