By T. Scott Boatright
It’s almost become a rite of spring for Simsboro High School basketball — having Tigers sign to continue their hoops careers on the collegiate level.
With Jordan Crawford, Nick Maryland and Lee Abney inking official scholarships Friday at the SHS Gym to continue their hoops dreams in college, Simsboro now has nine players to do so over the past seven years.
And that’s something SHS coach Josh Brown, who will depart the school at the end of the academic year to take on the same at Claiborne Christian School in West Monroe, where his wife teaches and children attend, finds much pride in.
“That’s a testament to how hard these kids work,” Brown said. “To be a Class B school to have nine basketball players sign to continue their basketball careers on the college level is really remarkable and something I’m proud of and know they’re proud of, too..
“Especially in today’s world, with the transfer portal and extra seasons granted because of COVID, there really aren’t a lot of opportunities out there for high school kids right now and the Division I and Division II level. I tell our guys the most important thing is to find somebody who wants you and somewhere you can play, and you can get a free education out of it.”
Crawford, Maryland and Abney have also been part of four Class B championship teams over the past five seasons.
Crawford will take his skills to Dawson Community College in Glendive, Montana, after being named 2022 Class B Tournament Championship Game MVP and averaging 15.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and five assists per game while shooting 53% from the field and 32% from 3-point range.
“The coach (Joe Peterson) and the players reached out and made it feel like it was going to be a home for me,” Crawford said. “I got to talk to a lot of the teachers there and all the people just seemed real nice, even before they knew I was going to sign there. And that made it feel like the right place for me.”
“It’s been an amazing experience playing basketball here at Simsboro. I think I’ve learned a lot here that will make me a better person and a better player on the next level.”
Peterson said he was pleased to add a player of Jordan’s caliber to his squad.
“I am absolutely elated to sign Jordan,” Peterson said. “He has the talent, skills and character to be an outstanding college basketball player. I have no idea how so many other coaches overlooked him, but I have absolutely no doubt in his ability. He is going to shine here and will prove a lot of people wrong. Jordan Crawford is a winner on and off the court.”
Simsboro forward Nick Maryland, like Crawford a Class B First Team All State selection, is taking his basketball prowess to Redlands Community College in El Reno, Oklahoma after averaging 16.0 points per game for the Tigers as a senior.
“Out of all the coaches who looked at me, the Redlands staff were the ones that felt like they were the most interested in me,” Maryland said. “And I’m not only talking about basketball. It felt like they really cared about me outside of basketball, and that’s really the season I chose them.
“I’m going to take everything my coaches here have taught me since the eighth grade. I’ve been blessed to have Coach Brown and his coaching staff teaching and guiding me and I want to keep on making them proud.”
The 6-5 Abney, who as a senior averaged a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds along with three assists per game, is headed to Northland Community College in Minnesota.
“I just want to further my education and my career in basketball,” Abney said. “I feel like Northland can really help me develop my game both on defense and offense. They seem to take an interest in their players both as students and as players, and I like that.”
Abney said that while he’s still unsure of what academic direction he’ll head in, nursing is a field he’s considering.
“There’s not a lot of male nurses out there and I hear there’s a lot of jobs available because of that,” Abney said. “I love to help people, and there’s good money in doing it, so that’s something I’m thinking about.”
Abney said what he’ll bring to Northland is all about attitude.
“Northland is going to get an aggressive, hard-working forward that has a no-quit attitude,” Abney said.
