Washington takes helm of Southland boys basketball

CARDWELL — For new Southland High School head boys basketball coach Tyre Washington, coming home last year was the right thing to do.

Washington is a Southland graduate, circa 2006.

One of the most touching aspects of Washington's return is the opportunity to coach his 14-year-old son, Camden, who will be a freshman during the 2023-24 campaign.

“That was one of the selling points,” Coach Washington noted while talking with the Delta Dunklin Democrat by telephone Tuesday.

“Camden's already been to a couple of schools,” Washington continued. “He will be able to stay here, and finish it out. I wanted to be somewhere I would be for four years.”

Washington said this homecoming already has been a “surreal” experience, very much in the vein of Gabe Kotter venturing back to Brooklyn teaching Sweathogs.

“We are super excited,” Southland athletic director Ben Nelson said. “Tyre graduated from here. He was an excellent athlete, and I think he will take us to the next level.”

The Lions are coming off a 6-19 season, suffering an opening round 49-43 loss to Clarkton in the Class 1 District 1 tournament.

Washington takes over for Steve Richey, who accepted a job in Marmaduke (Ark.).

Previous stops for Washington include Ridgefield Christian Academy and Delta C-7, where he piloted the Chargers to — at the time — their first district victory in more than a decade (Naylor, 83-77).

Washington played shooting guard for his hometown Rebels, moving to Cardwell from California while he was in second grade.

During his senior season, Tyre was an honorable mention all Tri-County Conference selection.

Washington said Camden will be the Rebels' back-up point guard on a squad that will run 10 players deep.

A graduate of Arkansas State University, Washington also will serve the Southland school district as a physical education instructor and junior high head basketball coach.

Washington is intent on improving the Lions' fortunes, and earlier this summer, Southland served as host for the Wings Elite Exposure Camp with 35 players honing their skills.

Also, the Rebels participated in the Poplar Bluff summer league, which was conducted at Three Rivers College on six straight Mondays.

“We did pretty well, and had a couple of wins against bigger schools,” Washington said.

Washington explained the Rebels' goal for the 2023-24 season is to finish with double-digit wins and earn a playoff victory. The coach aspires to play an uptempo brand of basketball that matches the skills of his players.

Nelson also reported a couple other hires, with Kenny VanGilder taking over the volleyball program for the departed Julie Murray, and Kenny Walker as new head softball coach.