Columbus High School junior Robert Woodard, II has never received a dime for teaching at the school.
However, there he was four or five days a week teaching for most of this past school year.
Woodard II will enter his senior season as arguably the state’s top recruiting prospect.
Playing the game comes natural for the 6-foot-6, 220-pound power forward for the Falcons.
Woodard II helped lead Columbus to the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A state championship during his sophomore campaign.
As the only returning starter from that squad, it was back to the drawing board as Woodard II spent a good deal of this season teaching, coaching, nurturing, helping an inexperienced team take flight.
“This season was really enjoyable,” Woodard said. “I think a lot of people on the outside might think it was discouraging.
“It was the opposite. It was a lot of fun. The young guys looked to me for leadership and advice. It meant a lot to me that they looked at the me that way.”
Former Columbus coach Luther Riley put together one of the state’s most challenging schedules. The purpose of the schedule was to toughen the team for another run at the state title.
Another purpose was to showcase Woodard II in more prestigious tournament settings.
Riley did not return for a second season with then-assistant Gary Griffin taking over.
Woodard II was again one of the state’s most prolific athletes. The young Falcons put things together late and finished strong.
Columbus finished 16-11 overall with a first-round loss in the Class 6A playoffs.
With a scoring average better than 20 points per game and a double-double averaged for the season, Woodard II finished the season as the state’s top prospect, according to 247.
For his success, Woodard II is being chosen as The Dispatch’s Large Schools All-Area Basketball Player of the Year.
The award comes after all-state honors from the Clarion-Ledger, as well as being chosen the Gatorade Player of the Year for the State of Mississippi in 2017.
“Not only was Robert the best player,” Griffin said. “He really blossomed into a great leader. He had patience with everybody and he worked hard to make sure every other player on the team got better.
“There were a lot of challenges and this team faced a lot of adversity. He was the calming influence that kept things going in the right director.”
Like Riley, Griffin coached the Falcons for one season.
He has since taken the job at Caledonia High School.
Anthony Carlyle will coach the Falcons this upcoming season, giving Woodard II four coaches in his four-year high school career.
Despite the lack of stability on the bench, the Falcons have enjoyed success and remain one of the elite programs in Class 6A.
“We have faced a lot of adversity but for the most part, that has made us stronger,” Woodard II said. “At the end of the day, it is still a game. You train hard. You work hard. You embrace the moment.
“We have another challenging schedule ahead but I think the guys look forward to it. We had a lot of new faces learning positions. They had to adjust to a new coaching style. The learning curve took longer than expected. We should be able to start out ahead of the game this season.”
Fellow junior Denijay Harris is another Falcon who stepped up and tried to help Woodard II with the scoring load this season.
In his own right, Harris has become one of the state’s prospects.
“The chemistry has gotten so much better since the start of last season,” Harris said. “Robert is a freak and we feed off him. We also have learned about work ethic and how to become a leader through him.
“The challenge has been to get more scoring. We also need to play better defense for longer stretches of time. Last season ended too early for us. I think the guys are hungry and ready to get back to Jackson.”
With a new coach, new mind-set and new motto, the Falcons are hoping to soar again.
With four returning starters this season, Woodard II will either be teaching less or teaching new materials.
He will also continue to build his arsenal of Division I offers, which according to 247, currently stands at 11.
“It has been a fun ride,” Woodard II said. “Everyone wants to have their best year as a senior, so I am excited about getting started.
“We are ready to make another run and get to Jackson again.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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