Coahoma County basketball coach Derrick Moore believes many athletes from the Delta usually get overlooked statewide when honors are being determined.
Not this time.
Three of his athletes from the junior class have been selected to play in the 1A/2A/3A North/South All-Star Game at Mississippi College in Clinton Saturday, March 23, just after the season.
Point guard Bentavious Galmore will be representing the Red Panthers on the north team in boys all-star game at 4:30 p.m. March 23.
Shooting guard Calysia Phillips and small forward Nakia Cheatham will be representing the Lady Red Panthers on the north team in the girls all-star game set for 3 p.m. March 23.
“We’re blessed to have those kids,” Moore said. “I’m just glad, not more so about Coahoma County, but more so that they represent the Delta.
“This is bigger than Coahoma County right here. This is about the Delta in general because we always have good kids, good enough to play in that game, but they don’t make it because they don’t get the recognition, so I’m just happy for the Delta.”
Galmore is currently averaging 11.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.2 steals per game.
The Red Panthers are back-to-back Class 2A state champions and Galmore was a starter on both of those teams.
“It feels great to get looked at,” Galmore said. “I’ve been working hard, in the gym doing what I’m supposed to do. It’s an honor to get looked at and picked.”
This is Galmore’s first time playing in an all-star game.
Moore said, even with the two championships, gaining exposure was the main reason he believed his athletes will be able to play in the all-star game this year.
“We continue to go out and try and play a little bit in front of where we know they’re going to be at, the people that’s doing the chatter and the talk and stuff of that nature,” Moore said. “So we go out in east Mississippi particularly — Tupelo, Pontotoc, those kind of games. We know there’s a lot of writers and publicity over there. We go over there to try to get some exposure.”
Even with the success Galmore has had, he knows he has his work cut out for him as an upperclassman.
“This year, I have to play the captain role, keep my team focused,” he said. “We’re lacking on the defensive side this year. We’re trying to get good on the defensive side and stay focused. Just got to keep the focus.”
Galmore was injured during the state tournament last season, but came back for the championship game the Red Panthers won.
He talked about the importance of staying healthy.
“It’s very important,” he said. “Just pray. Can’t think about the injuries. They happen before, but you just pray.”
Galmore said some of the junior colleges he is looking at for after he graduates are Pearl River Community College and Holmes Community College.
Galmore said he could improve with his right hand and be a better leader on the court.
Phillips and Cheatham have had their own success in high school playing key roles as the Lady Red Panthers were runner-ups their freshman year and advanced to the semifinals last season. Ingomar eliminated the Lady Red Panthers both seasons.
Phillips is averaging 9.9 points, 2.6 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 3.8 steals per game for the 2018-19 season. She would like to play for the University of Tennessee in two years.
Cheatham is averaging 11.1 points, 0.8 assists, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 steals and 0.5 blocks per game. She would like to play for Alcorn State University in two years.
This is the first all-star game for both athletes.
“It feels good. It feels great,” said Phillips, adding scoring and playing good defense was the key to making the team.
“I feel good,” said Cheatham in agreement. “I feel great for it to be my first one.”
Both take their roles stepping up as upperclassmen very seriously.
“I have to do more offensively and defensively,” Cheatham said.
Phillips agreed.
“My role is to be better, do great things and to teach the people under me what I do,” she said.
