Blue White Illustrated

arning a starting spot in his very 7rst game as a Nittany Lion, true fresh- man point guard Shep Garner needed no time to introduce himself to Penn State fans. Garner was not in any way reminiscent of his predecessor, graduated senior Tim Frazier, but the questions that arose about Penn State's future were quelled by the newcomer's play. A spot-up shooter with a quality handle and heady court aware- ness, the Chester, Pa., native wasn't a polished star but immediately did more than enough to solidify his place. The process that would lead him to that point started long before he stepped on the Bryce Jordan Center hardwood against Morgan State in November. Landing in Happy Valley in the summer, Garner had a winning spirit that was already evident. But the toughness that can carry a talented player from a place like Philadelphia Roman Catholic to a school in a Power Five con- ference wasn't. Navigating grueling physical training and conditioning through the summer months, Garner pushed himself and, maybe more important, was coached into giving more than he'd ever given before. Said Garner, "They pushed me to another level that I didn't think I would ever get to. I was in probably the best shape I've ever been coming into the season." By the time Garner appeared in front of fans for the 7rst time, at a Blue-White scrimmage the a:ernoon before the Ohio State football game in late October, he had cemented his importance to the team's future success. So much so that when he dinged his ankle in the scrimmage, head coach Patrick Chambers didn't allow the training sta9 to disappear with Garner to the locker room. Able to walk without as- sistance o9 the 8oor, Garner hobbled back to the bench and was quickly reinserted into the game. "They don't let you try to slack o9 at all," he said. "That helps me. It makes me a little tougher. "In high school, if I was a little banged up, I wouldn't have practiced. But you don't have a choice now. You've gotta just play. You've gotta practice." The improved toughness initially paid o9. Garner was third on the team in scoring (9.7 points per game) and second in assists (2.3 per game) in the nonconference season, and he was a crucial component in the team's 12-1 start, easily the best in Cham- bers' four-year tenure. And not one teammate or coach con- ceded any bit of surprise over it. "I expected him to play well and be a contributor. It's not surprising at all," Chambers said. "I watched him his whole high school career. He's a con7dent kid, he wants to win, he's a winner, and he does whatever the team needs." The Lions need him desperately a:er opening their Big Ten season with 7ve consecutive losses – a skid that has turned up the pressure on the team's young point guard. Garner himself may have unwit- tingly foretold of the conditions that would lead to problems in his own game. Asked about his con7dence a:er getting o9 to a strong start, he gave credit to his team- mates and coaches. "There's not a whole bunch of pressure on me," he said. "As long as the team is playing well, I don't | M E N ' S B A S K E T B A L L Freshman Shep Garner lifts PSU with confident play at point guard FAST START E

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