By GREG MOORE

The Natchez Democrat

VIDALIA — Senior small forward DeMikal McCoy has been a consistent contributor for the Vidalia High School Vikings this year averaging approximately 10 points per game so far this season.

Vidalia’s head Basketball coach Robert Sanders said McCoy provides a lot of leadership for his team.

“He is a calming effect on the court,” Sanders said, “especially in situations where we are trying to run the clock out. He is pretty good at that. This is his fourth year, he is our most experienced player.”

McCoy’s goal going into the season was to make it past the first round of the playoffs.

“We have been stuck there for a long time,” McCoy said.

Overall, McCoy has had a positive outlook on his team’s season, Sanders said.

“So far it has been an up and down season,” McCoy said. “I think now that we are in the middle of our season the team has come together pretty nicely. Everybody starting to pull together and teamwork is starting to form.”
McCoy said he and other seniors use their experience to help their team during the season.

“We had to help the team out,” McCoy said. “We‘ve been here for the longest. When we came up here, there wasn’t much here. They still had a winning record we just had to keep the tradition going and help the young boys.”

McCoy said he believes it is important to make sure his younger teammates are ready to play.

“When we leave, we have to let them keep winning and get better than us,’’ McCoy said.

McCoy pointed out several strong points for his team and also stuff they needed to work on.

“Strong points I’d say have been communication and movement,” McCoy said. “We can always talk to each other, agree with people on our team, and we can always work together.”

McCoy said his team needs to fix one main thing.

“We are not as focused and disciplined as we need to be,” McCoy said.

The highlight of the season for McCoy so far has been helping his team find their identity.

McCoy also performs well in the classroom, having a 3.5 GPA through high school and a 4.0 GPA at the halfway point of his senior year.

After high school, McCoy said he plans to attend the University of Louisiana at Shreveport where he will play basketball and major in Accounting.

Vidalia (10-11, 3-3) plays host to Rayville High School at 7:30 p.m. Friday.