Lower Merion’s Terrell Jones is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week

The 6-foot-4 junior guard has played a big role in Lower Merion’s exciting early-season run (three overtime wins in a row, all at Bryant Gymnasium). Jones scored 27 points, including four second-half 3-pointers, in Lower Merion’s home opener as the Aces defeated Penncrest in triple overtime. Three days later, with Lower Merion trailing 43-40 with one minute left, he buried a deep three-pointer to tie the score, and the Aces went on to win. The following day, he tallied a career-high 34 points (including 15 free throws) in a 68-63 overtime win against Shipley. 

Q: What do you think has been the biggest key to your scoring this season?

A: I would say 65 to 70 percent of my scoring comes from letting the game come to me instead of forcing it and finding the right gaps for potential layups or free throws and finding the best three balls I can get, Some of that credit goes to my teammates for finding me when I’m open. The other 30 to 35 percent definitely comes from our set offenses, underplays, and side outs. That credit goes to one of out assistant coaches, Kevin Grugan, who spends a ton of time working on how we can get 6-8 points a game off various sets.

Q: What is your most vivid memory of Lower Merion’s home opener against Penncrest – can you share it with us?

A: My two favorite memories of that particular game are when I had a crazy flurry of 3 and ones in a row, and when our senior guard, Zack Magill, hit the game winning; something that he deserved big time.

Q: Against Haverford on Dec. 11, your team was trailing 43-40 with one minute left and you buried a deep three-pointer. Can you describe for us how the play developed, and your role in it?

A: Originally the play wasn’t from me, we were trying to get either our shooter or big man open to take the big shot, but the [Lower Merion] gym was so loud not all five players could hear the call. After trying to set up the play and it not working, I received a reversal pass from Noah Fennell, and before I even caught the ball I was thinking “shoot” and it just happened to go in, sending the game into overtime.

Q: Who is your favorite basketball player, and why? Is there a player whose game you try to pattern yours after?

A: Kevin Durant is easily my favorite player. He’s one of the “better” players in the league who isn’t arrogant and selfish on the court – someone who makes the extra pass, and makes his teammates better.

Q: What do you think is the strongest part of your game? What part of your game are you currently working on the most?

A: Right now the strongest part of my game is penetrating and my ability to draw fouls. [Lower Merion assistant] Coach Gallman and I are currently working on making my left hand stronger so I can be more versatile getting to the basket and bettering myself on defense by staying more discipline.

Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.

A: Nothing really special, as a team we watch film and stretch. And sometimes we eat together.

Q: Who have been your biggest basketball mentors, and what was the important thing each of them taught you?

A: As soon as I read this question two names came to my mind, Doug Young and Larry Scovens – two guys I can count on to get in the gym and workout or to give me constructive criticism on different ways I can improve my game. But I wouldn’t just call them basketball mentors, because I feel as though our relationships are far beyond putting a ball into a basket. They’re two reliable people for feedback on almost anything.

Q: Is there a career field that particularly interests you at the present time?

A: Lately I’ve been interested in the field of athletic training/kinesiology, so when I’m finally ready to hang it up, I can still be around the game.

Fun facts – Terrell Jones
Favorite book: Tuesdays With Morrie.
Favorite TV show: The Flash.
Favorite movie: Creed.
Favorite athlete: Kevin Durant.

Favorite team: Philadelphia 76ers
Favorite pre-game meal: “Any kind of pasta.”
Favorite color: Blue.
Person you most admire, and why: “Definitely my mom, Cheryl Jones. She’s hands down the hardest-working person I know.”
Birth date: July 15.

(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)