By Angie Ledbetter

South Panola basketball senior guard James Watson started working on his skills at the age of three and begin playing organized basketball in seventh grade.

“When I was growing up, all everyone did was play basketball every day so I started playing,” said Watson.

Since ninth grade he’s been a starter on the varsity team as a small forward and shooting guard. However his favorite is shooting guard because he likes scoring the most.

Watson is the leading scorer for the Tigers but Head Coach Charlie Howard said he’s expected to score a lot.

“I design plays on the floor in timeouts just to get the ball in Watson’s hands and get him to the basket.”

Watson feels good about the team this year and has one goal in mind.

“I think we have a good team defensively and that’s where most of our points come from. My goal is to lead us to state this year and win it all.”

Howard describes Watson as a tweener.

“That means he’s not really a post or guard. He’s kind of an in between player that can play inside and out.”

“We look for him a lot especially on the defensive end. We put him in the key defensive positions on the floor and in the locker room.”

Watson considers himself a leader and gives credit to Howard.

“He gave me a winning spirit and taught me to never give up so I encourage my teammates to keep their heads up and finish the game when they’re down.”

Howard said Watson has shown his leadership his senior year.

“I really didn’t see much of a leader in him until this year I guess because he was playing behind older guys. He’s done what most coaches would want their seniors to do and that is to step up.” A couple of unique things stand out about Watson, according to Howard, in that he will play 100 percent and he is not afraid to take charge.

“He doesn’t mind sacrificing himself for the good of his team,” Howard said.

Watson plans to attend college taking his basketball career as far as he can but as he departs he hopes to leave his leadership with the team.  

His parents are James and Lea Etta Watson.