‘Everybody’s bought in.’ Frederick Douglass success built on belief in each other.
In a COVID-19 marred season, uncertainty is the only constant.
But, sometimes, the old sports cliches apply.
Building a team in which the players believe in each other, trust in each other and play for each other makes a winner. And taking one game at a time is never overrated.
The No. 9 ranked boys’ basketball team, according to the latest media rankings, has a special season going. And they know why.
“I feel like everybody’s bought in. I’ve never been on a team where everybody’s bought in,” said Broncos’ leading scorer Dashawn Jackson.
Despite missing two starters due to COVID-19 protocols and having 14 games canceled this season due to the virus, the Broncos rolled to a 77-59 win over 42nd District rival Scott County on Friday night.
Jackson had a breakout season last year in helping lead Douglass to its first 42nd District title. This year’s edition has an 11-1 record with contributions from all over the roster.
“It makes the game a whole lot easier, as you can tell by the scoreboard,” Jackson said of his teammates’ play.
Against Scott County, senior guard Julius Searce stepped into the starting lineup and ratcheted up his game for a second outing in a row, scoring 17 points, including three three-pointers after notching 18 points in a win against Bardstown earlier in the week.
“Me being a veteran, coming off the bench a lot, I got chances to understand the game more,” Searce said. “My role is just to go out there and play hard on defense and let my defense translate to my offense.”
Douglass also got 11 points from Connor Haga, double his average. And when Zaydan Ferguson nailed only his second three-pointer of the season after chasing down an offensive rebound late in the second half, his teammates roared in celebration.
“They play for each other,” Coach Jason Mosely said. “We always break every huddle, start every practice, end every practice (saying) ‘123 family.’ And that’s what it takes.”
Jackson, who averages more than 23 points per game and could be a contender for 11th Region player of the year and a Mr. Basketball candidate alongside Lexington Catholic’s Ben Johnson, turned in a steady performance against Scott County, with 18 points, including four three-pointers and eight rebounds. But it’s the play of his teammates that will be key to the Broncos’ success this season, Moseley said.
“Every night, it’s been somebody different,” Moseley said. “One night is was Zayden. One night it was Connor. One night it was Tylon (Webb). One night it was Khamri (McMullen). ...
“Everybody’s expected Dashawn Jackson to be Dashawn Jackson, but you have to win with five guys on the floor and the other seven guys on your team. It’s a team game.”
The COVID cancellations and last week’s winter storm mean that Douglass, like a lot of teams, has an inordinate amount of district rivalry games over the next two weeks that will be important for tournament seeding when district playoffs begin.
“They are all equally important,” Jackson said. “We’ve got to try to get that No. 1 seed (for the district tournament).”
While there is another team in Lexington that, perhaps, gets more attention and respect in the rankings and ratings, Moseley said he’s trying to help his team shut out the noise.
“We’re worried about what goes on inside Frederick Douglass High School,” Moseley said. “If you get caught up worrying about somebody else’s team, you’ll slip up and get beat.”
The Broncos have impressive wins over Madison Central, Lafayette, Lexington Christian, Bardstown and a stunning 83-48 victory over a then top-10 ranked Clark County team.
With so many different players contributing this season and their new coach’s team-mentality mantra, the Broncos like their chances moving forward in the postseason.
“I feel like we can win a state championship,” Jackson said.
“The sky’s the limit,” agreed Searce.
This story was originally published February 27, 2021 at 8:49 AM.
