Next stop: Pullman
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
I know a lot of fans in Class B will be glad to see Stringtown’s James Watson head out to Pac-10 country at Washington State.
Some because he was a thorn in the side of opposing teams. While others probably felt Watson got away with just about everything as a Tiger.
On a much much smaller scale, could almost see how Shaquille O’Neal felt when he was dominating the NBA. The constant banging and bruising from the little guys because the little guys knew they could get away with it.
Watson had to endure a lot.
But it’s not even close to his struggles off the court. Thankfully, those struggles all seem like past issues as the future looks brighter than ever for Watson.
How can you not cheer for someone who went through 14 foster homes? Or when he found a family that would love and care for him, only to see an adopted sister died in a car accident?
Speaking with his adopted mother, Annette Watson, at length before Saturday’s game, she said something that really echoed with me about James finding peace.
Rightfully so, James was very slow to let people in. When you’ve been down the roads he’s been, that’s understandable. Annette said everything about James was anger. That was always his first emotion.
This year things have been different. Former players C.J. Washington and Orlando Brown commented to me about how calm James was on the floor where last year he would have gotten upset.
I guess the good and the bad of it all is that right at the time when James is truly finding himself and becoming the person he wants to be, he’s leaving to be a Cougar.
Annette’s not worried because even though she’s always felt James was part of the family, she now knows that James feels they are his family.
B Boys Notebook
Watson to honor his sister: Stringtown’s James Watson has sported No. 42 his entire high school career.
But when he heads to Washington State next season, he’ll be wearing a No. 14 jersey.
Watson’s decision to change numbers is his way of remembering his sister, Kayla, who died in a car accident.
“I want people to know her story,” Watson said. “She was an incredible person and a great influence in my life.”
Watson has worn a No. 14 patch on his jersey during this season. Kayla Watson scored 2,066 points at Tushka and is currently ranked 20th for the all-time list for 5-on-5 girls.
The Watson family may have lost one girl but has gained another. James’ adopted parents, Ronnie and Annette, have adopted a 4-year-old girl named Charisma.
“James just loves her so much,” Annette said. “Having a younger sister has really helped James this year. He’s found peace.”
Champs come home: There were some familiar faces for Stringtown watching the Tigers win their second straight championship.
Orlando Brown and C.J. Washington made the trip to Oklahoma City to watch their former team. Brown and Washington were part of the nucleus that captured last year’s title.
“I wish I could be out there with James (Watson) and Tyrus (McGee) and the boys,” Washington said.
Washington is a redshirt freshman for Connors State while Brown is at Cowley Community College in Kansas.
Seniors do just about everything: No team in Class A or B had a situation like the Chattanooga boys basketball team.
The Warriors started five seniors. Some teams had four seniors, but Chattanooga was the only club with five.
“I don’t know what else I can say about this group of guys,” Chattanooga coach Jerry Brown said. “It’s one thing to watch them grow on the court but to see them grow as people, too, has been incredible.”
The group closes their career at 105-18.
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