By Kyle Roberts

RUSTON, La. — This is not how Marcus Jackson (or anyone else, for that matter) could have seen his first offseason going at the helm of the Ruston High School Bearcat basketball squad.

In his first season replacing former Bearcat head coach and now assistant principal Ryan Bond, Jackson already had high expectations as the head coach of a program that made the Top 28 for two consecutive seasons. Combine that with his own impressive championship credentials, it’s easy to see why hopes would be high.

But during a routine conditioning practice in late September, as Jackson was illustrating a basketball move, he tore both of his bilateral patellar tendons, requiring immediate surgery and then spending 30 days in rehabilitation and away from practice and school duties.

“I’m always interactive with my kids; most coaches are,” Jackson said. “We get out and demonstrate so they’ll know what to do. I was showing them something and I slipped in a freak accident and fell. It was something that was just routine that we do all of the time.”

While Jackson has been working to recover and heal, Bearcat assistant coach Corey Deans has taken the reins in his stead to get the ‘Cats ready for the hardwood. Having won a state championship as a play for Lakeview back in 2003, Deans knows what it takes to be a top program in a state loaded with basketball talent.

“I’m definitely comfortable developing kids and going through the preseason process right now,” Deans said, adding that his main focus for the team is off-season conditioning. “I want the kids to hit their preseason goals and conditioning times. So far, we’re ahead of schedule in my opinion.”

Deans previously coached for Captain Shreve High School in Shreveport, and joins Jackson’s staff along with Kyle Thornton, Ryan Williams and Jonathan Millage. Jackson said he’s very confident in the staff he’s put together, which is paying metaphorical dividends while he’s out until mid-December.

“Those guys all have a lot of experience in their credentials to do the job,” Jackson said. “I wanted to build a team together that can help each other. I wanted to bring in some guys that could push me and that I could push them to hopefully, elevate this program over the top where Coach Bond left it. He’s also been very helpful in the transition process by giving me pointers on players and other things that were helpful to him.”

The roster, which is listed below, will have plenty of new faces as the varsity team gets ready for its first official games at the Lakeview Tournament on Thursday, Nov. 21, through Friday, Nov. 22. Sophomore Keshun Malcolm is the only returner with significant varsity experience that is not currently on the Bearcat football team.

“Keshun is excelling,” Deans said. “He’s been a vocal leader and a leader by action. Everyday he comes in, and he’s doing all the talking and communicating to our group. He’s been a breath of fresh air. We weren’t here last yaer, so what I’m seeing is new from these guys. I expect him to continue being a leader, even when the football guys come back.”

And hoops fans will remember a particular football player: sophomore Ahmad Hudson, who will return to the court after Ruston finishes football season. Hudson became well-known for his thunderous dunks and rebounding in his freshman year and averaged 14.0 points and 11.6 rebounds a game.

The staff will also be getting back seniors Joran Parker, Fabian Stringfellow and Zheric Hill following football.

“I haven’t had a lot of time with the football guys, but I know if those guys come in and buy in and work hard, then they’ll be great,” Jackson said. “They’ll have a short time to get ready before we hit the main stretch in January. But I’m looking forward to it.”

Notably absent from this year’s roster is senior Aidan Anding, who decided after talks with his mother Candace and Jackson that he would focus on football and track as he gets ready to graduate and head to LSU.

“He talked to me back in September about his decision, and of course, I wished him well,” Jackson said. “We had good conversations with his mother, and she thanked me for talking with them about this decision. He’s a great talent, man, and he’ll be sorely missed.”

As the days count down to opening tip, Jackson said that he’s excited to get back to normal. Though, he’ll admit, his injury has been life-changing for him in the meantime.

“Going from being independent to depending on others in a matter of seconds — I’m just so thankful for the prayers and the Man upstairs each and everyday,” Jackson said.

See below for the roster and full schedule.

Roster

Freshmen

• Armstrong, Derion
• Armstrong, Jakaylon
• Foy, Deontra
• Ingram, Phillip
• Jackson, Brennan
• Jenkins, Brandon 
• Lewis, Eric
• Perry, Branson 
• Powell, Dalen 
• Nicolas, Kendrix
• Spivey, Austin
• Tims, Cam 
• Wilson, Xaiden

Junior Varsity

• Clark, Hayden
• Gray, Cole
• Gray, Kayden
• Knox, Braylon
• McGuire, Chase
• Murry, Jackson

Varsity

• Delaney, Mason
• Hill, Zheric
• Hudson, Ahmad
• Malcolm, Keshun
• Malone, Christopher
• Morgan, Jasen
• Parker, Joran
• Stringfellow, Fabian
• Sutton, Zaterrion

Click below to download the schedule.

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