Festival Preview: Mississippi’s Murrah is Young Yet Talented

Ron Bailey, Publisher

December 4, 2008 – Bob Firth, Murrah High School’s 13 year head coach has coached both pros (Mo Williams and Lindsey Hunter before him) and college standouts. Consequently, the Jackson, MS legend knows a thing or two about hoops and players. Regarding this Murrah high team, he’s both excited and cautious.

“I just hope we come up there and show up” remarked Firth of his team’s can’t-miss match up with national power DeMatha Catholic. The reason for his slight concern is youth, as he shared “We’ve got eight sophomores on this team”.

LaQuinton Ross can both rise and shoot (photo courtesy of Firth).

One of those second year students, 6’8” LaQuinton Ross is well known nationally, given the swingman’s offensive precociousness, length, and ability to deliver the ball. Joining Ross in the distinctive player category, according to Firth is Dundrecous Nelson, a 5’11” junior combo guard capable of scoring and setting up opponents.

Working with young players is both exciting and challenging for Firth: “I like to sometimes take a young scorer, and see if I can make him into a different, more rounded player.

“They (his young charges) are very excited about playing and practicing. Good things can happen”.

Per their coach, the Mustang’s inexperienced ballplayers are “pretty excited” about competing in the DTLR National High School Hoops Festival Presented by Nike; in addition to traveling out of state, Murrah’s team is anticipating the event “because they say up there they play a different style of basketball…it’s tougher there. It’s probably more finesse in Mississippi”.

Firth also shared “We'll probably get around a bit”, when in the D.C. area, given the team’s early Saturday arrival.

Whether physical or finesse, experienced or not, the Murrah High School Mustangs are headed north with designs of showing the world they too can play.