ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) – The LSUA Generals were a sight to see in January. Under first-year head coach Dimario Jackson, the Generals won 87% of their games played during the month.
The significance of this is huge due to the team starting out the season at 0-3. However, Coach Jackson admits that the early adversity made his group the team they are today.
“If we’re being honest, a lot of people counted us out. We blocked out the outside noise and just continued to work,” Jackson said.
The Generals managed to flip the switch when the games were the most important. When it is not coming from the “splash brother” duo of senior guard JD Allen and junior guard Jason Perry, a huge contribution to all their success is their supporting cast of Kashie Natt, JT Curry, Grant Kemp, Terrance James, Isiaah Howard and EJ McQuillen.
Natt, who is known for his high-motor and flashy dunks, was awarded this week with the RRAC Conference Player of the Week. The junior combo-forward averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds through three games against LCU, LSUS and Texas A&M-Texarkana.
“It’s a blessing really. I look to just help the team to be honest. I don’t really look for myself to be the number one guy scoring on the team. I just do what I can to help the team,” said Natt.
Sophomores JT Curry and Grant Kemp both entered the starting lineup 18 days ago after EJ McQuillen went down with a knee injury and Coach Jackson and his staff wanted a change at center.
Last week, Curry averaged 18 points per contest and had a career-high 24 points on Saturday against Texarkana.
“It’s always Kashie pushing me and telling me to be ready, and all the coaches have been telling me to be ready in the moment. I have just been ready, and my number got called, and I just produced,” said Curry.
Kemp, who walked on to LSUA this summer, has found his role in being a “tough-as-nails” point guard.
“I’m just thankful for Coach Jackson for giving me this opportunity, and I’m just one of those guys that will do anything for anybody that helps us get to the place we want to be, and that’s to win a championship,” said Kemp.
Let us not forget the freshman trio of Isaiah Howard, EJ McQuillen and Terrance James, who all have carved important roles on the team just three months into their collegiate careers.
“Back when I was in high school, I was the one that really did a lot of the scoring and making big-time plays, but after I realized being here, I can help the team on defense, getting extra stops, when we needed help and rebounding. All the other exciting plays like the lobs and stuff that come with the fast breaks and come back to the defense,” said James.
LSUA’s next challenge is handling the new target on their backs as they enter this two-game road trip sitting in first place in conference play. The Generals will travel the to University of Southwest on Thursday, Feb. 1, and then to Paul Quinn College on Feb. 3.
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