HIGH-SCHOOL

Menard boys basketball coach Brian Terwilliger to accept same role at Northwood

LaMar Gafford
Alexandria Town Talk

Change is on the horizon for Northwood.

Northwood introduced Menard boys basketball coach Brian Terwilliger as its new coach Monday.

Terwilliger joins  the Gators after  spending the last six seasons with the Eagles with a record of 114-83.

Terwilliger was the most successful coach in Eagles history — leading them to the Division III quarterfinals the last five years and and guided them to their first state tournament appearance this season. The Eagles went 22-12 this season and lost to Newman in the Division III semifinals.

Menard coach Brian Terwilliger (center) reacts to a call during the DIvision III semifinals against Newman in March. Terwilliger will become the new boys basketball coach at Northwood Monday.

Prior to being Menard's coach, he was an assistant for LSU of Alexandria coach Larry Cordaro in the Generals' inaugural season in 2014-15.

"Everyone really developed a sense of pride about the program and I couldn't be more thankful for that," Terwilliger said. "It started with kids my first and second year there. Just setting the bar every year, trying to reach that bar and go past it has been always the goal there. I think we proved that when we started scheduling teams like Madison Prep, St. Thomas More and some of the better teams in the state."

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Terwilliger takes over for John Howe, who led Northwood to the Class 1A semifinals for the first time since 2003 and went 16-10 this season. Northwood loses senior starter Denzel Baines and Zach Howe, but sophomores Omarion "Diddy" Layssard, Randarius Morris and Jonathan Barron will return.

"Their guys are young and talented," Terwilliger said. "They lost a few, but they're bringing back three pretty good ones. I think if I can just build on that, add some pieces and create a sense of pride around the program and the team, I think we can make a push at 1A."

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