The Natchez-Adams School District made a layup Thursday morning but failed to sink the free throw on a potential three-point opportunity.

During a special-called meeting, David Haywood was hired as the interim Natchez High School coach. Count the bucket. And one? Well, giving Haywood the “interim” title is undoubtedly a missed opportunity.

Let’s give credit where credit is due. At least the search committee selected the right man in Haywood, which was approved by the NASD Board of Trustees. Let’s also give them another point for finally approving a coach, since, you know, the season is less than two months away.

Ultimately, though, the decision to place Haywood as interim dragged like a snail, especially considering he was only given the status of interim.

Haywood spent the better part of this past decade working by now retired Natchez High School coach Mike Martin. Even after Martin announced his retirement this year, Haywood still met with the team in volunteer workouts throughout the summer and in first period during the school year.

Haywood was the right choice because of his involvement and knowledge of each player’s abilities, but he’s also the right choice because he’s one of the brightest basketball minds in the area.

Let’s not forget, Haywood came through Natchez High School as one of best prospects in Mississippi, averaging 23 points per game and 10 rebounds. Haywood then went to the University of Southern Mississippi, where he became one of the most efficient 3-point shooters in Southern Miss history. Haywood is currently third in career 3-point field goal percentage, sinking 41 percent of his attempts.

Haywood tried out for the NBA and played professional basketball overseas before he returned to Natchez to fulfill his passion for coaching. During games, he became the vocal leader. While Martin calmly sat on the bench and jotted down notes, Haywood was offering instruction on the floor throughout every contest.

So when Martin announced his retirement, everyone in the community asked me the same thing — “When are they going to promote Haywood?” Talk about an easy layup.

Because I was growing a bit annoyed with the entire search process, I went to hang out with the team during “basketball period” Wednesday. Haywood, still unsure of whether he would get the job or not at the time, did not want to jeopardize it, so he steered clear of offering any quotes. Haywood ran practice as usual, while I watched along the walls in Mary Jean Irving Memorial Gym.

A young Natchez player named Keedarrius Johnson walked up to me and stuck out his hand, introducing himself. He then leaned in and asked, “So, uh, are you the new coach?”

Imagine that, I thought. Heck, with some of the names I heard being tossed around, I probably could’ve been a finalist.

Luckily for us all, Haywood was the choice.

For a lot of these players, basketball is their greatest passion, and you can see their appreciation of Haywood for not abandoning them, for still working with them through the transitional period.

That’s even more evident in seniors Jadarrius Ivory and Ty’Ran Newman. In chatting with them, I asked the seniors who they wanted to be head coach, and it didn’t take them long to answer.

“We really want Haywood to be the head coach,” Ivory said. “We’ve been around him for four years, and we don’t want just anybody coming in. Coach Martin retired, and we don’t want anybody else but Haywood.”

Newman said the reason he wanted Haywood is because Haywood understands where to put each player in different situations. Newman also liked the Natchez connection.

“To have somebody who played in the same gym that we played in, that makes it even better,” Newman said. “And not to mention, he can still get out there and play with us.”

Admittedly, Newman and Ivory each said no player has been able to challenge Haywood on the court yet.

That’s understandable. Stopping Haywood on the floor sounds a bit more difficult than sinking a free throw.