Sam West took DeAndre Jones aside, rested a hand on his shoulder, looked him dead in the eyes and soothed his mind.

This wasn’t during Thursday’s shocking 67-66 win over top-seeded Mississippi Valley State either. This wasn’t even during this season.

Rewind to last year while West was an assistant to legend Davey Whitney and Jones was a young freshman.

It was something little but valuable. It showed West not only believed in this wildcat Floridian, but that soon &045; West didn’t know exactly when &045; Jones would take over the leadership role for the Braves.

It all came to fruition in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, as Jones directed traffic, issued hand gestures to keep his teammates patient and made West look like a genius for believing in him.

&uot;Some of the guys joke around with us and call (West) dad and me the son,&uot; said Jones, whose free throw with five seconds left proved the difference. &uot;We’ve had more downs than ups, but I’m glad I’ve bought into his system here late in the season.&uot;

It’s been a roller-coaster first year for West, who has seemed at times that he’d rather stick his head in a oven than get his point across to this collection of youth.

Gradually the players matured. Unfortunately, the chilling reality of being left out of the SWAC Tournament shook these youths up.

&uot;I hope it’s like that for all the guys,&uot; West said of his bond with Jones. &uot;I tried to be like that to all of them. I think my players see one of my weaknesses as kindness, but it’s really one of my strength because it’s given by God.&uot;

After Alcorn blew a 12-point lead to lose against Southern on Feb. 28, West expressed his discontent with the team marching to their own drum instead of accepting the team concept.

The Braves are in the midst of a three-game winning streak currently, defeating the 2003 SWAC Tournament champs (Texas Southern on March 4) and this year’s regular season champs (Valley) and don’t nearly resemble the team that began the SWAC season 1-5.

&uot;Number 1, I try to express a little wisdom their way,&uot; West said. &uot;If there needs to be some discipline, then I apply the necessary discipline. Encouragement, then encouragement. I do it for the right reason, and I have to say it does work.&uot;

Jones thinks maybe Alcorn’s youth is a blessing in disguise. Sure, the Braves have players on the roster who have been here, namely senior forwards Brian Jackson and Dion Callans.

That duo has played now in three consecutive semifinals, and a win today would usher them into their third SWAC Tournament final.

&uot;A lot of the players don’t know to be afraid of the SWAC Tournament or the field,&uot; Jones said. &uot;We’re ready to play. We respect everybody but are afraid of no one.&uot;

The Alcorn upset means that both last year’s tournament winners and this year’s regular season champ, men and women, took quick exits this week.

&uot;It’s just one of those kind of tournaments Š anybody can win it,&uot; Valley head coach Lafayette Stribling said.

Chuck Corder

is a sports writer for The Natchez Democrat. Reach him at (601) 445-3633 or at

chuck.corder@natchezdemocrat.com