Natchez High School’s remarkable season has earned head coach David Haywood a major honor.
After guiding the Bulldogs to the MHSAA Region 3-5A regular-season and tournament championships, Haywood was named the Region 3-5A Coach of the Year, according to The Natchez Democrat.
The award follows a season that didn’t always look like a championship run. At one point, Natchez High sat at 2-3 in region play. But the Bulldogs responded with a five-game winning streak to close out the regular season, finishing 7-3 and capturing first place in the standings. The title marked the program’s first regular-season championship since 2002.
Earning the No. 1 seed in the Region 3-5A Tournament, held at North Pike High School in Summit, Natchez High continued its momentum. The Bulldogs defeated North Pike in the semifinals before knocking off South Jones in the championship game.
Haywood was quick to credit his assistant coaches and players for the mid-season surge.
Haywood told The Natchez Democrat. “Whether it’s film breakdown or practice, my kids have been coming to practice every day trying to focus and execute everything we ask them to do.”
He also emphasized the strength of Region 3-5A this season. Three of the eight teams remaining in the second round of the MHSAA Class 5A State Playoffs — Natchez High, South Jones, and Brookhaven.
“It’s a big achievement because I think we have the toughest (region) in (MHSAA) 5A basketball,” Haywood told The Natchez Democrat.
“Outside my staff and my team, I have a great support system. My wife Yolanda puts up with me going to my room and watching hours of film at a time,” David told The Natchez Democrat. “My support from my administration and the central office makes the task a lot easier. It’s been a great journey so far.”
Natchez High will look to keep its winning streak alive Saturday when the Bulldogs face Brookhaven High at 2:30 p.m. in the second round of the MHSAA Class 5A Playoffs at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston.
This article first appeared in the Natchez Democrat, to read their article click here.
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