By Matt Vines, The DeSoto Parish Journal
STONEWALL — For basketball programs that share student-athletes with football powerhouses, basketball doesn’t typically begin until the football playoff run is over.
For North DeSoto, who regularly makes deep playoff runs and advanced to the semifinals this year, basketball coaches delay the beginning of their season, sometimes not lacing up the high tops until the football cleats are put away.
North DeSoto finally got its hardwood start on Dec. 11 with their football reinforcements in place, and the Griffins (5-0) have already surpassed their two-win total from this past season.
Third-year coach Josh James, who serves as the football defensive coordinator when he’s not drawing up basketball plays, said 11 of his 16 players are on the football team.
“With only five basketball players, our offseason and preseason are full of shooting drills and trips to the weight room,” James said. “We hired assistant coach Ke’Darius Jones this offseason, and he’s taken this team to a whole other level.
“Jones has installed multiple offenses, defenses, inbounds plays and the works during football season, and that’s a huge credit to him and his ability.”
North DeSoto squeezed in five games in 10 days once its season did start, which began with a 40-39 win against Class 2A Lakeside.
The Griffins’ other four wins (against Class 1A and Class B squads) have all come by double-digits, a new feeling for a North DeSoto team trying to establish a name for itself.
NDHS has a more experienced squad than in years past with all five starters playing significant minutes in their careers.
Dale Howard, who was a staple in the football defensive backfield, leads a Griffins’ roster that includes four juniors and three seniors.
All five of the Griffins’ wins have come against teams that are Class 2A or smaller, but given that the program has struggled against all opponents in recent seasons, North DeSoto’s early-season success deserves to be celebrated.
“We threw our football guys right into the fire, and for guys like Dale, there’s no time to take it slow or sit out,” James said. “Our football players don’t pick up a basketball until football season is over, so we feel great about the start.
“The kids are believing in what we’re doing.”
The Griffins will try to add to that total on Jan. 5 against Doyline before taking on Logansport on Jan. 9.
North DeSoto will still need to earn respect in a brutal District 1-4A in which two teams advanced to Marsh Madness (Bossier and Huntington – Bossier won the state championship in Division II Non-Select) this past season.
“We obviously know we are in of the top districts in the state when it comes to basketball, and there’s no getting around that,” James said. “The main goal is to try and make North DeSoto basketball relevant.
“Being undefeated before Christmas break is an amazing feeling. We want to keep winning non-district games and be competitive in district play.”