By Josh Troy
Clarksdale Advocate
Kesean Maddox officially signed to play two sports at Mississippi Delta Community College next season, but his biggest highschool achievement can have are available in the classroom. A Coahoma County High School senior, Maddox learned he can be graduating with honors before the Red Panthers played within the basketball state semifinals against Newton Tuesday.
Maddox and the Red Panthers defeated Newton after which North Side on Friday to win the state championship. Maddox will play football as a security and basketball as an influence forward for MDCC starting with the 2023-24 school 12 months. His GPA is above 3.0; he’s currently ranked eleventh in his class and scored 18 on the ACT. Maddox plans to major in nursing, hopes to live in California sooner or later, and stresses the importance of academics. “That’s what comes first,” he said. “I just do the standard, work hard, and stay focused.”
On the football field as a senior, Maddox finished with 61 solo tackles, two tackles for losses, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. At wide receiver, he had nine catches for 178 yards and one touchdown and in addition scored two 2-point conversions. Maddox said his best game as a senior got here in a 16-0 win at O’Bannon to open the season. The Red Panthers lost (4-6, 2-2 in 2022) and lost 28-26, at JZ George in the primary round of the playoffs.
Red Panthers football coach McKinley Scott reflected on when Maddox transferred to Coahoma County High School for his sophomore season. Maddox attended Coahoma Early College High School, but when it closed, he got here to CCHS. “Overall, a extremely good kid,” Scott said. “Keshun, after I first came, he was considered one of those that got here over from Aggie. He got here out because the quarterback, but he ended up moving to a receiver and worked his butt off to grow to be considered one of our greatest receivers this 12 months, playing safety, playing middle linebacker.
We had him in all places. He’s considered one of the blokes we could sit up for, and he was considered one of the blokes who could give us a spark to maintain things rolling. “Right away, he’s doing something for this system because he’s setting the tone. He’s signing for a likelihood to play ball at the subsequent level. Hopefully, we are able to get it to a degree where everybody starts to get the identical drive and keenness to play on the subsequent level. I’m super excited for him and what he has going for that.
“Overall, for the three years I’ve been here, he’s been an awesome kid with character. Overall, only a standout kid.” Maddox averaged 5.1 points, 12 rebounds, and a couple of.2 steals per game on the basketball court as a senior. He was a part of two Class 2A MHSAA state championship teams, and the Red Panthers (30-2, 10-0 in 2022-23) closed his senior season on a 30-game winning streak. “My best basketball game was senior night,” he said.
The Red Panthers hosted Region 3-2A opponent Riverside for senior night. Coahoma County won 35-28, and Maddox finished with 14 points and 21 rebounds for a double-double. Maddox knew MDCC can be a very good place to proceed his athletic profession and education after visiting the campus. “I felt it was the best alternative for me,” he said, “They were treating me right.”
Maddox acknowledged MDCC is a rival of his hometown school Coahoma Community College. The 2 schools play each other incessantly, and lots of of his friends can be on the opposite side of the football field and basketball court. But Maddox said, “I’ll do what I do best and hope we win.” Maddox looks forward to the challenge of turning the Trojans football program around.
“I’m attempting to make us higher as a team,” he said. “I don’t think they won (many games) last 12 months, so we’ll try to not lose a game this 12 months,” Maddox feels the security position is a key a part of the defensive unit. “From what I’ve seen, the security guys are the most respected player on defense,” he said. “You may’t let anything get past you. I feel like I’m the best guy for it.”
Maddox said he also hopes to assist the Trojans basketball team improve. He added that Los Angeles Lakers superstar forward LeBron James inspired him to play two sports in college. Maddoix played nearly every position on the football field apart from the offensive and defensive position. “In football, he (James) actually played quite a lot of positions like me also,” Maddox said.
Maddox can also be a shortstop on the baseball field and welcomes the challenge of playing many sports. “You’ve got to decide on what you would like to do,” he said. “Everyone can do it.” Maddox, at 6 feet, 4 inches, 200 kilos, hopes to construct muscle at MDCC. His goal is to be able to play football and basketball at a four-year school after his time at MDCC. “It’s all the time pushing to the limit,” he said. “I all the time wish to go so far as I can go.”
