Choctaws, Indians to meet in Region 7 semifinal

The one certainty about Dyer County head coach Derek McCord and his fast and furious No.2-ranked Choctaw basketball team is that the coach and the squad sure know how to win basketball games -- lots of them.

Over the last three years McCord's teams have won a staggering 93 games, including 31 this season. In district play, the Choctaws have been overwhelming as well, falling in just three contests over the three-year span.

While the wins totaled have neared the century mark, the losses can be counted on both hands. Not too shabby for a program winning a total of six games in two previous seasons prior to McCord's arrival.

The two previous seasons have ended in Murfreesboro at the TSSAA state tournament, and while the respective squads haven't returned with championship hardware, a tradition of winning basketball games has taken place.

Tonight at Gibson County High School in Dyer, the Choctaws and Indians from North Side will face off in a much-anticipated matchup to determine if Dyer County will continue to keep the dream of a third straight appearance in Murfreesboro alive.

The Choctaws advanced to the semi-final game with a narrow, 59-57, victory over Haywood County, while North Side earned the right to face Dyer County by handling Milan, 66-51, in the opening round of the tournament.

McCord knows the task at hand is a difficult one, but a challenge he believes his squad is ready and able to respond to.

"North Side has a lot of weapons and a lot of size. They have a very impressive resume and have beat some very good basketball teams this year. At this point of the season everybody is going to give you their best effort and we have to be able to match that," added McCord. "This is a big game, but we've been in big games before. This group is a younger group but we feel like these guys have grown over the course of the year and now its time to play like it."

North Side (20-4) will bring a talented squad to the Region 7 semi-final. The Indians are led by talented junior and D-1 prospect Casey Prather. While Prather garners most of the attention, the supporting cast isn't too bad either according to McCord.

"North Side has a lot of weapons. (Casey) Prather is a very talented, high-major prospect. There aren't a lot of players that are as coordinated and agile as he is and he proposes a tough challenge for us," added McCord. "His teammates have the ability to hit 3-pointers and they shoot the ball with a lot of confidence, so we're definitely going to have our work cut out for us."

For the Choctaws, seniors C.J. Crittendon and Rex Pierce headline a talented roster ready to wreak havoc if given the opportunity. The duo has combined to average 37 points a game this season and will have a lot to say as to whether Dyer County will advance to play for the Region 7 title.

Dyer County will also rely on the services of junior Cedric 'Big Ced" Janes as well as talented freshmen John Hudson and Fred Yarbrough against the Indians. The trio, in their first year at Dyer County, have exploded onto the scene and played pivotal roles in the success of the squad along with several other members of the squad.

McCord believes the keys to victory for his squad comes down to the basics.

"We've got to know where their superstar is at all times. We have to cover their 3-point shooters, box out and rebound the basketball, and be more consistent at the free throw line."

One advantage Dyer County will have is a large contingent of Choctaw faithful in attendance; while another will be that the squad has played several games at Gibson County already.

"We've played there a few times and hopefully that will work to our advantage. Also, being so close to where we are in Newbern, when we come out of the locker room the guys will look up and see a sea of orange and it will feel just like a home game because we're going to need our fans in this one," said McCord.