Hawks win championship

The Northeast Mississippi Jr. High Conference held its year-end championship tournament Saturday, Jan. 28, at Holy Family Catholic School, in Holly Springs.

Holly Springs Peewee Hawks and Jr. High Hawks, coached by Rodney Redmond, Jr. competed in the conference and they each brought home the championship trophy.

Holly Springs Peewee team defeated Holy Family by a final of 24-10.

The Holly Springs Jr. High School defeated H.W. Byers 26-10.

Chardarius Faulkner led the Jr. High Hawks, scoring 10 points in the championship game.

The Jr. High Hawks had a great season winning all 15 games.

“By me loving this game so much, it doesn’t feel like work. I’m more than just a coach to my boys,” Redmond said. “I’m also a teacher, a mentor, a big brother, someone they look up to and can depend on off the court and on the court.”

Coach Redmond gives credit to his hard-working assistant coaches.

“I want to shout out to my assistants, Coach A (Coach Samantha Aghimien) and Coach Rosie Reaves who are my eyes and ears because I can’t see and hear everything,” Redmond said.

He also gives credit to Principal Vikki Marion for being there for the team.

“I would like to thank her for sacrificing her time to open and close the gym whenever we needed it – weekends, weekdays, holiday breaks, and all,” he said.

The Jr. high and peewee teams were motivated to win.

“Well, when you inspire a kid, that’s long-term,” said Redmond. “When you motivate a kid, it’s for right now. My inspiration comes from the boys.”

He said when you give them experience and exposure, the kids have the potential to go far through sports.

“They just need the correct blueprint and opportunity,” he said.

The first year Redmond coached, he took the Jr. high team to Jacksonsville, Fla., where the team won two out of three games.

Redmond saw the potential of the team during his first year coaching.

“They went to the beach and the main event. When I saw the smiles and the displayed talent it pushed me to keep going,” Redmond said.

The first season he coached, four players were selected for the North MS All- Star team.

“So it shows that it works, and I want to see them get a college scholarship one day,” said Redmond. “That’s my inspiration. Leading the boys from the same town, as I’m from, to places that can have them successful.” Redmond said.