Strong aiming to build on trip to state tournament

The numbers don’t tell the whole story for the success Strong had this past season.

The Bulldogs had only an 8-9 record, but made the state tournament for the first time since 2018 and for the first time in Champ Watson’s tenure at Strong.

Strong also finished third in the rugged 8-1A behind powerhouses Nevada and Bradley despite having the conference pause its schedule due to the coronavirus pandemic, which also limited the Bulldogs to just one non-conference game.

After playing only one game from Dec. 3 to Jan 12, the Bulldogs went 6-3 in their final nine games over a three-week stretch, then had to wait an extra week for the regional tournament because of the winter storm that hit Arkansas in February.

The pause didn’t bother the Bulldogs, who upended Blevins to qualify for the state tournament.

Of their nine losses, seven came at the hands of Nevada, Bradley and Viola. The Longhorns ended the Bulldogs’ season in the opening round of the state tournament on their way to winning the state championship.

For Watson, the team’s togetherness was a big reason for their success.

“I feel pretty good,” Watson said. “In reference to corona, I’m in the seat of every other coach in America. I didn’t let that try to get to us. I tried to keep my guys positive and prepared whenever we stepped on the floor. We were able to do that. We ended up having a good season, maybe not by the numbers because we didn’t play half as many games, but since I’ve been here, this has been my best team overall.

“Team effort every night, always together and their goal this year was to make the state tournament. These guys had never been to the state tournament other than Emauri Newton, and he was just a ninth-grader coming up who didn’t really play during that run three years ago. I was just glad of my team. They stuck together and accomplished their goal.

“We did not lose three in a row not one time during the season, but during this run in the playoffs, that’s where we lost our three in a row. We’ve gotten better along this three-year journey that I’ve been here, and I’m very pleased with this team and very happy of the togetherness they have and playing team ball. Team ball was crucial for us this year. That’s probably why we made state.”

The Bulldogs have several members of this year’s squad scheduled to return, but will have a big hole to fill with the graduation of Emauri Newton, who made the 1A All-State Tournament team, as well as Derrian Thomas.

“Huge accomplishment,” Watson said of Newton making the All-State Tournament team. “This was his best year, and I tell him that all the time. He has the ability to do what he wants to do if he just brings it out. He led us in scoring. He led us in steals. He played both ends of the floor. He handled the ball. I didn’t take him out much if I took him out at all. I needed him on the floor, and he really stepped up this year. I’m very proud of him.

“Derrian had his best year since he’s been here with me, and I don’t think he played the year before I got here, so I’m real pleased with his year. He helped us in a lot of ways.

“He’s not a small guard, he’s not a big fella, he just fits in the middle, so I was able to play him at several different spots, and that helped us as well, so I have to commend Derrian for his efforts to play so many positions and still be able to hit those crucial jump shots when we needed them.”

Although the Bulldogs will certainly miss Newton and Thomas, the Bulldogs have a solid nucleus of Byron Maze, Fred Williams, Treveon Daniels and LaQuincy Shelton slated to return.

“He had a very good conference season,” Watson said of Daniels. “I’m so proud of him. I’m looking for big things out of Maze, Williams and Daniels. I hope Maze continues to get better. LaQuincy Shelton, I’m looking forward to him getting stronger and bigger and able to handle the ball. I’m also looking for my shooters to get going. I don’t know who all I’m going to have right now, but I know Shundarius Shelton is coming back.”

Watson said he is also hoping to get contributions from a couple of younger players as well.

“Amari McHenry is a rebound guy. He’s going to dive on the floor for the loose balls. He’s that toughness guy,” Watson said. “I’m expecting some things to develop on Dontae Stringfellow. He is going to be long. He has the ability. I just hope to get his confidence up. He can shoot the outside shot, but he’s so long that he can use those long limbs to play good defense and get some steals, get some rebounds. Hopefully this all comes together and we can build something here.”

With the Bulldogs’ offseason in full swing, Watson said he wants his players to keep honing their skills.

“Just keep working skill development,” Watson said. “That’s what I’ve had to try to install here. There’s a difference between playing and working, and I am trying to instill a working environment. To prepare yourself for the next level, if that becomes an opportunity. Just keep working and getting them in the gym, even if it has to be after hours because I don’t want to get in the way of coach (Sirl) Wright and football. I’m mainly down there with them now, but if I need to get anything in or if the boys want to get anything in during the evening, that’s fine for me to do.”

As far as next year is concerned, Watson said he simply wants his team to improve.

“All I want to do is continue to get better,” Watson said. “It’s just like we took care of Dermott. Normally, we would lose two to each one of those two (Nevada and Bradley) plus Dermott, so we’re clearing hurdles as we go. The more we develop our confidence and knowing that you can do anything, that’s the key. We’re just building blocks.

“As long as we’re getting better each time, that’s what I’m trying to do. For the small amount of time that I’ve been able to work with them, we’re the only football school in the conference, so by the time we start, normally they’ve already had 15, 20 games, so I’m just trying to do the best I can with when I have them and the time that I have with them and trying to build something here.”

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