'Big Ced' making most of final season with Choctaws

Two years ago Dyer County Choctaw Cedric "Big Ced" Janes was a 6-foot-4, 350-pound man-child with aspirations of pursing a career on the gridiron as a defensive lineman.

Now Janes is a 6-6, 240-pound chiseled beast who has played a major role in the success of the Dyer County basketball program, especially now that they are in AAA, where the Choctaws are usually the smallest team on the court nearly every game.

In his first season with Dyer County, Janes was a raw big man with limited moves to the basket, and always seemed to be in foul trouble every time he stepped on the court.

"When I first came here, I thought I was a pretty good player, but coach McCord changed those thoughts quick," said Janes. "Coach kept pushing me to get better, and it's amazing to me how far I've come on the court. He really is a great coach."

After a season and a half under Choctaw head coach Derek McCord, Janes has transformed into one of the most dominant centers in West Tennessee and has caught the attention of many college scouts throughout the area in the first half of his senior campaign.

"Big Ced is a wonderful player to coach, and he always wants to do what he can to get better," said McCord. "He has gotten better each day in our system, and the transformation of his body is amazing."

Entering his final high school basketball campaign, the Choctaw center has only one thing outside of graduation on his mind.

The gold ball, and a state championship for Dyer County.

Janes's older brother Marcus Williams won a state championship when he was in high school in the '90s, and frequently reminds his younger sibling of that accomplishment during family gatherings.

"He (Williams) has been to the state tournament twice, and I haven't even been once," said Janes. "Marcus holds it over my head, so I'm going to try and get one this year so I can bring the little brother up with the big brother."

Janes has definitely done his part so far on the hardwood for the Choctaws during their blazing hot 19-2 start this season, averaging 12.6 points and eight rebounds a night, while shooting 66 percent from the field.

"Big Ced" has scored over 20 points four times this season, which is remarkable considering Dyer County has five players averaging double figures this year, and plenty of sharp-shooters that can light it up from behind the arch.

As great as the senior Choctaw's offensive game has improved over the past season, Janes's improvements on the defensive side of the court is what McCord's speaks most highly about.

"He has become a smarter defender, which allows us to put more pressure on the ball," said McCord. "Every part of his game has improved, and we continue to challenge him to get better as the season goes on."

In just two seasons at Dyer County, Janes has won over the hearts of the Choctaw faithful with his hard work on the hardwood, and an uplifting personality that draws an orange standing ovation every time the gentle giant enters or leaves a game.

"My dream is to make it to the pros, but playing here at Dyer County makes me feel like I'm already there," said Janes. "All the kids come up and shake your hand after games, and I've signed so many shirts this year that my handwriting is almost getting perfect."

Janes's ability to lighten up a heated moment in a game with just a simple ear-to-ear grin is another big reason why the senior leader is a fan favorite for all ages in Newbern, plus according to McCord "Big Ced" has not ever met a stranger in his life.

"Ced always has a smile on his face wherever he goes, and I don't think he has ever met someone he didn't like," said McCord. He is a very coachable player, and he is always fun to be around."

With just under two months left in his high school basketball career, Janes plans on cherishing the final days with his teammates, which the humble big man considers his brothers now, especially Choctaw forward Koty Gross who combined with Janes make up one of the top post tandems in the area.

"I love all my teammates, we are really like a big family," said Janes. "Koty Gross is my best friend, and I told him wherever I play next year, I'm going to tell them to come scout him so we can play together at the next level."

Janes plans on going to college and pursing a degree in business after his high school graduation this summer, but the postman is focused and dedicated in leading the Choctaws back to Murfreesboro before he walks across the stage with his cap and gown on in June.

"I really want to go into the business world after basketball is over, I've always pictured myself as the biggest guy in the office one day with a suit," said Janes.

Janes's final wish as a high school basketball player is for his grandparents to get a chance to see him play before the season is over, something they have not had a chance to do.

"My grandparents are real religious, so I just pray every night that they will have a chance to see me play one game before I'm done," said Janes. "My grandfather and I use to shoot around a lot when I was younger, and I would always try to dunk just to make him happy."

Janes and the Choctaws will return to action tonight when the squad travels to Memphis for a matchup with Lausanne.