As March Madness heats up, it seems appropriate to reflect onarea basketball programs and what they accomplished during the2005-06 campaign. A few exceeded expectations and others fellwoefully short.

The Cinderella Shoe belongs to the Brookhaven Academy boys team.Certainly, the Cougars were expected to do well. They rolled alongon a high note and seemed to overachieve during the Class AA StateTournament when things weren’t going their way.

To their credit, and to the credit of exceptional defense, theCougars were able to make a successful state title defense. CoachDale Watts always preached tough defense to his teams from juniorhigh through varsity.

Advancing to the MPSA Overall Tournament at Mississippi College,the Cougar Nation faithfully followed their favorites to the GoldenDome. They knocked off Class AAA power Jackson Prep in overtime andthen authored the upset heard around the state, beating top-rankedMadison-Ridgeland Academy at the buzzer.

Next up was a championship bout with a third straight AAA power,the Jackson Academy Raiders. The Cougars were exhausted mentallyand physically as they entered this Saturday night showdown. JA’sdepth and overall strength were too much for them to overcome.

Still, 36-2 ain’t bad.

Coach Watts and his Cougars were special guests of theBrookhaven Lions Club during Tuesday’s meeting at the CountryFisherman. They took turns introducing themselves to the clubmembers before Watts spoke to the group.

In 12 years at Brookhaven Academy, Watts has produced manyoutstanding teams. Still, they often were overshadowed by the BALady Cougars who won four straight state titles under Barry Gray.MPSA teams from three states breathed a deep sigh of relief whenGray finally had a rebuilding season.

Watts coaches part-time and thoroughly enjoys his hours workingin John R. Gray Gymnasium. A full-time horse trainer, Watts ownsPioneer Stables, located just north of Summit on Highway 51. Hetrains and shows Tennessee walking horses, with the help of his twosons, Josh and Jonathan.

For Watts, coaching basketball is therapy, his form ofrecreation. He demands much of his players. His loud, nose-to-nosesideline confrontations with players have caused many parents tosquirm in their seats.

But, after a while, you get used to it. Watts doesn’t curse orberate his players. He just yells at them and they accept it.

“My dad, would chew me out and holler but he never cussed me,”said Watts. “I coach the same way.”

A longtime deacon and Sunday school teacher at First BaptistChurch of Summit, Watts realized several years ago that he had anexample to set and his players had an example to follow.

“It happened to me when I was preparing a Sunday school lesson,”said Watts. “Our primary focus is ministry both the pregame and thepostgame. Our actions speak much louder than words. How we act isimportant.”

Watts said he was proud to be a part of Brookhaven and LincolnCounty. “These players have been extremely rewarding to me. It’simportant that they become valuable members of society when theygraduate.”

His four senior starters, Seth Davis, Jeremy Winborne, Alan Grayand Kurt Perkins, plus top reserve Jerrod Rayborn; all plan toattend college and pursue careers. Team manager/statisticianBrandon Smith has qualified for scholarships at MIT and MississippiState.

“Brandon is the most valuable person on my team,” said Watts. “Ican replace the players but he can’t be replaced. He takes care ofeverything.”

Talking about his approach to coaching players, Watts said, “Myobjective is to extend them beyond their limits in basketball andlife. Things can get rowdy and loud in a game; so can life getdifficult at times. But you keep going.”

In the last three seasons, Watts has seen his team post amagnificent 102-8 record. The Cougars were 70-4 the last 2seasons.

In basketball, that’s also known as an extremely high level ofsuccess.

Obviously, Watts still enjoys the game and the results.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com