When coach becomes cheerleader, and a sad day turns joyful

Simply seconds remained. Louisville’s women led Pontotoc 36-35. The State Class 4A Championship was the prize. Followers on either side of Mississippi Coliseum have been yelling themselves hoarse. Pontotoc had the ball, holding for the final shot.

Your dutiful reporter glanced up within the Louisville cheering part and there was Biggersville coach Cliff Little stomping his ft, clapping his arms and hollering “DEE-fense” proper together with the Louisville followers.

Earlier Thursday afternoon, Little’s personal Biggersville staff had misplaced 53-38 to powerhouse Ingomar for the Class 1A championship. Most coaches, having misplaced the largest recreation of the yr a number of hours earlier, would have been lengthy gone from the Massive Home, most likely crying of their beer. You didn’t must be an intrepid reporter to know there’s needed to be a narrative right here.

Again to the sport: Pontotoc, taking part in for the final shot, appears to have a profitable layup till Louisville’s MVP, Jacylin Houston, bounds in, leaps excessive and blocks the shot out of bounds. Seconds later, the ultimate horn sounds and Louisville has gained. And now Little actually is crying  — massive ol’ tears of pleasure.

And, sure, there’s a story right here. Bought a pair minutes?

Fourteen years in the past this week, East Webster defeated Durant for the State 1A boys championship. It was Little’s first state title as a coach. He has gained 4 extra since. Mitchell McCurry, now the Louisville coach, scored 36 factors for East Webster that evening.

Seems, McCurry was rather more than Little’s star participant and match MVP that evening 14 years in the past. He was extra like Little’s son. Nonetheless is.

Again to Thursday evening: As quickly as McCurry had the chance amid the postgame celebrating, he trotted over to the sidelines the place he and Little shared a protracted embrace, each in tears. Once more, Little has gained 5 of those state championships, together with two (girls and boys) final yr. It’s tough to think about any of these meant greater than watching McCurry win his first.

Requested in regards to the relationship, Little stated this: “I’m undecided I’ve the phrases. Mitchell was simply such a particular, particular child.”

McCurry was a particular participant, too. Little moved him as much as East Webster varsity when he was an eighth grader and he was a key participant then. But it surely was extra about what was occurring off the court docket than on it that drew the coach and participant so shut.

“My father was by no means a part of my life,” McCurry stated. “I misplaced my mom after I was younger and my grandmother, who I lived with, died after I was seven.”

For a lot of his youthful life, McCurry lived with different family members and even with associates of his household. Little, he stated, was like the daddy he by no means had. “Coach Little confirmed me true, real love. He taught me learn how to love once more. Not that I wasn’t beloved, however he taught me learn how to really feel it.

“Coach Little impressed me to be a coach. I noticed the way in which he cared for his gamers — not simply me however all of us. That’s how I wish to be for my gamers. I wish to be there for them, similar to he was for me and my teammates.”

When the ultimate horn sounded Thursday evening, Little embraced Johnthan Banks, one other of his former East Webster gamers. Sure, that Johnthan Banks, the one who turned a soccer All-American at Mississippi State after which performed 5 years within the NFL. In that state championship recreation 14 years in the past, McCurry and Banks scored 56 of East Webster’s 65 factors.

Ever since McCurry and Little have remained shut. They discuss typically, and never nearly basketball. The Littles have been there when McCurry’s first youngster was born. McCurry has attended all 4 of Little’s state championships since he helped win the primary one.

Stated McCurry of Little, “I wouldn’t be right here if not for him.”

Stated Little of McCurry, “I’m so pleased with him, I…” He didn’t end. He couldn’t.

He didn’t must.

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From final yr: Biggersville wins twice