'Whatever we need to do': Versatility makes Thomson basketball serious title contenders
Thomson basketball is on a mission.
The Bulldogs faltered in the Region 4-AA tournament a season ago and were one and done in the state playoffs, falling to Windsor Forest on the road.
With a 64-50 win over a solid Butler team Tuesday, the Bulldogs (15-0, 7-0) remain atop the standings in a loaded region. Their signature win to this point came against two-time defending state champion Westside on Dec. 15, a team that bested them in all three meetings last season (and what might be a better version of last season's team).
Coach Michael Thomas’ team is just two years removed from a Final Four run in Class 3A. Thomson came into this season down a man, so to speak, with senior guard Lavonta Ivery transferring to Westside in the offseason. Why is this team seemingly having more success?
That answer begins with a pair of seniors.
'It was very weird': An emotional homecoming for this former Augusta-area basketball coach
Thomson basketball’s four-year starter
Starting four seasons in high school basketball, especially in the Augusta area, is a rare thing. That said, players like senior guard Jahkiaus Jones don’t come around too often. A dual-sport star, he might be better known as the quarterback of the 2022 state championship Thomson football team. His basketball pedigree, however, goes back to his early days in high school.
Jones became a household name playing with The Skill Factory team that took the 15U title at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam in 2021. Since then he’s continued to rise up prospect rankings and in his senior season, has seen his role shift a bit.
“He came here primarily as a point guard, but for this team, this year, he’s had to play multiple positions,” Thomas said. “Because he is a four-year starter and knows the things we’re doing inside and out, we can plug him in anywhere and he can go there and make a contribution from that position. He’s not selfish. His thing is, ‘Coach, what do I need to do to help us win?’”
He finished Tuesday’s game with 11 points, but it was his play down the stretch that sealed the win for the Bulldogs. That versatility and willingness to do so comes, in part, from four years under the knowledge of a head coach with more than 40 years of experience.
“At times, like (Tuesday), we’ll let him close the game at point,” Thomas said. “Sometimes he’ll be able to play all over the floor and being able to play multiple positions and having an impact shows tremendous growth over four years.”
There is, however, one more thing to consider.
Thomson basketball’s x-factor
Senior Daquon Young is the 6-foot-4 captain of this Thomson team and there aren’t many things he cannot do on a basketball court.
His importance to this team began when the season was in its infancy, as much of the Bulldogs’ roster had prior commitments. Jones and Company were still playing football and while their short playoff run didn’t take up as much of the schedule as last season, Thomson began the season without a good bit of its arsenal.
That’s where Thomas felt like Young developed one of his most important traits.
“Leadership,” he said. “He didn’t always demonstrate that as a younger kid, but we had a young group working out while the other group was in football so he had to become a leader.”
While he’s shown the ability to score 30 points on any given night, Young is another player that can line up anywhere he’s needed. He’s the complete player that, much like the aforementioned Jones, is ready and willing to do anything to win.
“Rebounds, defense, deflections, points, assists; his fingerprints are all over the entire game,” Thomas said. “He’s another one just saying, ‘Whatever we need to do.’ He’s more concerned about us, playing together, playing with each other and playing for each other.”
Thomson returns to action on the road Friday at Washington County (9-7, 3-4). The Bulldogs took the last meeting 83-68 on Dec. 12.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Jahkiaus Jones, Daquan Young lead unbeaten Thomson basketball
