Nelson Haskin earned Watchman POTY honors

March 22, 2018May 22, 2018 Jeremy D. Smith

There were some gaudy stat lines throughout the county, eviut no player impacted his team more on a game-in and game-out basis than did Demopolis High’s Nelson Haskin. The 6-6 senior forward played with an unparalleled energy and passion in his final season in Tiger blue, proving an indispensable component of the Demopolis roster.

Simply put, Haskin was irreplaceable. Shooters and prolific scorers are valuable, but more rare is the player who impacts the game at both ends of the floor. Haskin is that player. His shot blocking prowess, rebounding, and quickness in playing the passing lanes disrupted opponents’ offensive efforts. On the other end, his ability to set screens, pass the ball, pull up on a jumper, or throw down a ferocious dunk changed the tenor and tempo of games.

Haskin averaged 14 points, 11 rebounds, six blocked shots, 2.3 steals and three assists per contest as a senior, routinely checking all of the major stat boxes. Moreover, there was not filling Haskin’s role when he wasn’t on the floor. No single player in the county, let alone in Demopolis, could do everything Haskin did for his team. On top of it all, Haskin proved one of an incredible teammate throughout his career, consistently rooting for and encouraging his peers in games, in practices, and even in everyday conversation.

For his efforts on the court and his high character off it, Haskin is the 2018 West Alabama Watchman Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

11-28-17 — Demopolis, Ala. — Demopolis’ Nelson Haskin (34) blocks a shot during the Tigers home opener against the Keith Bears.

Coach of the Year honors for 2018 go to Demetrice Jackson of Linden High School. Jackson had to box shadows throughout the season. He had the shadow of the graduating Class of 2017 that took supreme talents off the Linden roster. He had the shadow of his father, legendary high school coach Woodie Jackson. And, after the run of success Linden has seen over the last 10 years, Jackson met that challenge with poise and dignity. Despite only posting a 12-12 record, he navigated the Patriots to a South Regional berth using what was primarily an eight-man rotation.

The 2018 West Alabama Watchman All-County Boys Basketball Team appears below in its entirety.

FIRST TEAM

Nelson Haskin, Sr. – Demopolis

Graderius Brown, Jr. – Linden

Roosevelt Thompson, Jr. – Marengo

Trent Sams, Sr. – Sweet Water

Edmund Hall, Jr. – A.L. Johnson

SECOND TEAM

De’Angelos Crispin, Sr. – Marengo

Shakari Williams, Sr. – Demopolis

Isaiah Scott, Sr. – Linden

Melvin Childers, Sr. – Demopolis