SCOOBA — East Mississippi Community College sophomore guard Deon Bedford has quite a collection of rings.
“We’ve won the past two region championships, and I am proud of both of those rings,” Bedford said. “The goal this year is to get a third. The pressure has been us on all year as two-time defending champions. We relish that pressure, and look forward to the challenge every time we play.”
The Lions are putting together another championship-type season. After being ranked No. 7 in the preseason, a pair of early losses dropped EMCC from the rankings. With postseason play right around the corner, the Lions are finding their stride.
“The thing is everybody on this team plays hard,” said Bedford, a 6-foot-5 former prep star at West Oktibbeha County High School. “I think a lot of our success comes from that work ethic. It is an instinct around here. We are going to try our hardest every day in practice and in games.
“We added some new players this year. Once we got used to one another, the team has really taken off.”
EMCC’s victory against Mississippi Delta C.C. on Monday pushed its winning streak to eight. On the heels of back-to-back North Division championships, EMCC is back atop the MACJC North Division race at 11-2 and 4-0 in the league.
“This team is so unselfish,” EMCC fifth-year coach Mark White said. “That is where people like Deon come in. He gives his all every day in every way he can to make us a better team. The players understand our goals and our philosophies. They enjoy being around each other, and they enjoy working together to be the best team we can be.”
Most Mississippi junior college basketball teams prefer the run-and-gun style. The Lions take the opposite approach. For EMCC to be successful, rebounding and defending are key. Only twice this season has a team scored more than 69 points against the Lions.
“We believe that nine times out of 10 the better defensive team is going to win the ballgame,” Bedford said. “We don’t worry about the offensive output. We will step up and make shots when the game is on the line. For this team, it all starts on the defensive end and on the boards.
“Our challenge is to frustrate the other team and to get them out of their offensive rhythm. Most players play defense because they have to, but we play defense because we want to.”
While the rim-rattling dunk or 24-foot 3-pointer may be more highlight worthy, Bedford believes the Lions are comfortable with a video tape full of defensive gems.
“The players have all bought in to what we are trying to do,” Bedford said. “All you have to do is look at our success. Everybody is focused at the task at hand. We want to win another championship. My teammates will do whatever it takes to help us reach that point.”
Bedford also will do whatever it takes to reach that goal. As sixth man, Bedford provides a spark in three spots in the lineup.
“Deon really embraces his role on this team,” White said. “He has been a big contributor to our success. We have to have everybody do their part to have a winning program. Deon can step in and give us immediate help in lots of ways. He also gives us an immense amount of leadership.
“He knows what it takes to be a successful student-athlete and demonstrates it to the other players every day.”
Bedford has appeared in all 13 games (three starts) this season. While earning about 15 minutes per game, Bedford entered the week averaging 7.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.
“When coming off the bench, my job is to provide an energy,” Bedford said. “I want the other four guys on the floor to be playing with the same intensity I have. My job is to come in and add to what they are doing.
“Some nights, I may need to take more of an offensive role. But every night it is all about playing great defense and providing a spark off the bench. Other players are looking at me to come in and do my job.”
Bedford has been doing his job since a cousin placed a basketball in his hands in grade school.
“When I was a little kid, I would go out and shoot every day,” Bedford said. “I absolutely fell in love with the game from the very first time I played. Basketball has been very good to me and given me memories to last a lifetime. I feel blessed to have played with so many great guys.”
Some of those guys were his teammates at West Oktibbeha County High. Bedford was in the stands Saturday night in Crawford as the Timberwolves won the latest installment of their great rivalry with East Oktibbeha County High.
“I was so pumped. I really wanted to go out there and play,” Bedford said. “We had some really great times there. I remember all the games I played in high school. It was a fun ride. I really miss it a lot.”
For now, Bedford is concerned about the upcoming postseason run. EMCC has shaken off early season losses to No. 3 Northwest Florida State College and No. 16 Shelton State (Ala.) C.C. EMCC has played a rigorous schedule so it will be battle-tested for the stretch run.
“I feel like if we played both of those teams again we would win,” Bedford said. “We are a different team now. Everybody knows one another and we are playing with a lot more confidence. The schedule has been tough and it really has made us tested. We feel like we are ready for any challenge ahead.
A redshirt member on the 2009-10 EMCC squad, Bedford is completing three school years on the campus in Scooba. When the calendar hits March, the Lions will try to make that three straight Region 23 tournament championships and three straight appearances in the NJCAA national championship tournament.
“(Playing at EMCC) has been incredible,” Bedford said. “Hopefully, I will have the opportunity to continue to play (in senior college). The coaches have done a great job of preparing me for whatever is next in life. This has been an experience I will always remember.
“We are playing well right now. Hopefully, we can keep that up. The bull’s eye has been us all season because we have won the last two championships. Everybody knows who we are when we walk in the gym. However, the guys have been up to the challenge all year.”
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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