While some schools are excited to have one player to represent their area, the Coahoma County Red Panthers graced the stage with three athletes last Saturday as Mississippi College in Clinton hosted the state junior all-star game in its A.E. Wood Coliseum.
“I was slightly nervous, because I knew my kids would be in front of a lot of people and surrounded by well-known players,” says Coach Moore, “I know what kind of players they are, because I see them on a daily basis. But when you’re in an atmosphere where there is a lot of media, players, coaches, and critiques, the pressure can get to you if you allow it. I wanted my kids to perform well and to be deemed just as deserving to be chosen as the other athletes.”
Juniors for the girls’ team, Calysia Phillips (with 9 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals) and Nakia Cheatham (most valuable defensive with 6 points, 13 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 1 steal) were eager to play with some of the top athletes in the state. “I was nervous. It was a different crowd,” says Phillips who had a slow start and hesitated to take shots but warmed up after the first half of the game (with advice from Coach Moore to ‘lighten up and take your time’ after going into halftime) transformed into the player we’re accustomed to seeing during the regular season. When asked about her experience, Phillips commented, “It felt good to play well, and the overall experience was excellent. I hope to play in the all-star game again.”
While initially shocked to be nominated to play in the game, Cheatham played one of her better games as she dominated the floor and made the most of every minute on the court. She had a strong start and finish, and now as she reflects, stating, “Maybe now, more people will start looking at the Coahoma County area hopefully leading to more things happening for us as a whole,” she is confident people will stop overlooking Coahoma County and begin expecting great things from the Delta.
Third to represent Coahoma County High School, Bentavious Galmore has this to say about his experience: “Going into the game, I was thinking ‘I’ve got to be able to perform at this level.’ It was a great experience playing with the best of the best and getting to know each of them.” Sophomore and leading scorer in the guys’ game, Galmore (most valuable offensive player with 13 points, 2 assists, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal), had an impressive run proving his claim to hold a spot on the team. I started off slow and got a couple of rebounds, but I missed a few layups early in the game.”
There was a shot Galmore didn’t take, and he said Coach Moore talked to him and reminded him, ‘That’s your shot. You’ve got to take that.’ “So the next time I got the opportunity to make a similar shot, I took it and made it, and I felt it out the rest of the way,” says Galmore. “It was a good feeling being nominated and representing my state.”
Coach Moore spoke to the effort and talent of his players saying, “They are all extremely talented. Bentavious’s work ethic is unbelievable. I’ve never coached a young man or young woman that always has the drive to consistently perfect his craft, and he does that. If I can get all of my players to be in the gym as much as he, they would really be something special.”
When asked collectively about how their coach had played a part in this season and leading up to the past weekend, the three answered almost simultaneously, “He’s the best in the Delta!” Galmore specifically stated, “He plays huge role in what we do – correcting us, encouraging us, and making sure we’re doing the right thing. He helped us to get nominated, and that just means the world to us.”
