There are several reasons the Minden Crimson Tide have gotten off to a blazing hot start to the 2024-25 season. But Minden Head Coach Jacob Brown points to one in particular.
Brown says his players don’t “play basketball with each other but they play for each other.”
Minden is 13-1 going into Friday’s game at home against Booker T. Washington. It’s the Tide’s best start since starting with the same mark in the 2010-11 season, per MaxPreps.
Brown, who is in his second season as head coach after serving as the Lady Tiders head coach for 14 seasons, isn’t surprised by his team’s fast start.
Minden lost two seniors off last season’s 15-9 team. But a talented and experienced core group returned including seniors Darnell Morris, Carmelo Smith, Christian Lofton, Chris Harris and juniors Cameron Parker, Kameron Harris and Hudson Brown.
The Tide also got back junior Jaiden Franklin, who missed all but one and a half games with an injury last season.
“Those kids already played well together,” Brown said. “It was just getting him back into the mode of playing and being confident coming off of an injury. But as far as our record. My deal is you hope it’s a mindset that trickles down through your team — when we step on the floor my expectation is that we win.
“Some mindsets area winning isn’t everything, but every time we step on the floor that’s what we’re striving for, perfection. We may not reach it but we can get as close to being really, really good or excellent as we can by striving for that.”
Brown said he places a lot of trust in his players.
“I have a level of confidence in my players because they work,” he said. “And I don’t think they see it as work because it’s something they enjoy doing. They enjoy playing basketball.”
And it goes back to the fact that they’re a close-knit group.
“Some of that’s a reminder that the main thing is the guy next to you,” Brown said. “Yes, individuals have to perform. And each one of them complement each other and they bring something different to the table.
“We’ve got guys that may not score a bucket for a couple of games but they’re rebounding and they’re taking charges and they’re defending. And that’s what makes us what I feel is a complete team night in and night out.”
Brown points to Parker, who is among three players averaging in double figures. He and Morris are the team leading scorers.
In the Tide’s most recent game, a 42-34 victory over Loyola on Jan. 7, Parker scored just two points.
“Kids are going to have off night,” Brown said. “But he guarded extremely well, Brown said. “He didn’t let his offense dictate how he played defense. We were able to find a way to win.
“Any given night, there’s other guys that stepped up and scored. And we found a way to win because we defended. We’ve had guys coming off the bench having six or eight points. If Kameron Harris isn’t scoring points he’s blocking shots. I think he had seven or eight blocks against somebody.”
Brown also praised Smith as another example of someone who plays his role well.
“I’d say he’s probably our fourth-leading scorer. He’s a guy that can score the basketball but he’ll also impacting the game in other categories, stats and everything.”
Smith was an all-tournament selection in the “Doc” Edwards Invitational. He scored in double figures in all four games.
Brown said his team has dealt with the high expectations of this season well, tuning out the external noise that sometimes comes with success.
Minden got off to a 10-0 start and won the Minden Holiday Classic for what is believed to be the first time in a decade.
They suffered their first loss in the “Doc” Edwards, falling to eventual champion Ruston 54-36 in the first round after trailing by just four in the final quarter. They closed the tournament with three straight wins.
One of the Tide’s main goals is winning the District 1-4A championship. Last year, they finished one game behind tri-champions Evangel Christian, Huntington and Bossier. Evangel and Huntington have both moved up to District 1-5A.
“We’re really blessed that we’ve got a group of guys that complement each other,” Brown said. “They’re hungry about pursuing the district championship. We’re pursuing one of those this year. We were so close last year. I feel like we’re right in the mix along with other teams in our district.”
The district looks wide open. Bossier, a traditional state power, has had an up-and-down season, but the Bearkats have played a tough schedule.
“You know Bossier is going to be good,” Brown said. “Do not look at their record. They’re going to have a good team, always have. Booker T Washington, they’ve gotten off to an extremely good start. Northwood is probably better than their record. I look for it to be extremely competitive.”
Friday’s game against BTW (12-5 through Monday) doesn’t count in the district standings. Minden starts district play Jan. 24 against Woodlawn at home.
“It’s going to be a competitive district,” Brown said. “It does look like it’s wide open. It’s going to shape up to be a battle each night. I don’t think you can overlook an opponent. You have to prepare and you have to perform that night.”