There is a new man in charge of West Point’s boys basketball program – one that’s a familiar Golden Triangle face.
On Thursday the Green Wave announced that Qu’Various “Woodie” Howard, a former head boys basketball coach at Starkville and Winona, has been given the keys to the program in hopes of lifting the group to new heights.
“I’m very excited to get there. The one thing that stood out to me was the athletes they always have. I know West Point has always been known as a football school, but with the athletes that they have there is no reason they shouldn’t be known for more. So, I’m definitely excited to get over and try to help make the school be known for more than just football.”
Howard, a Starkville native, replaces Marquis Burnett as head coach. Burnett was at the helm since 2021 and compiled a 49-47 overall record. Burnett and the Green Wave just missed out on ending a long playoff drought last season. The team lost 37-35 to Caledonia in the first round of the Region 1-5A tournament and ended their campaign at 17-10 overall. Getting back to constant postseason appearances was important to West Point Athletic director Brad Cox and is part of the reason he brought Howard on board. Beginning in 2021, Howard spent three years as the head coach of Starkville with an overall record of 62-22 and led the team to two MHSAA quarterfinals appearances, including an undefeated district campaign in 2022-23, before he was controversially removed as head coach in 2024.
He then took over the head role at Winona and guided the Tigers to a 19-6 record and Class 3A tournament appearance last season. It also helps that Howard played under and was an assistant coach with legendary Starkville coach Greg Carter.
“What stood out about him is I know kind of the line he’s been through as far as he played for Greg Carter in high school and then he played college basketball and then was an assistant at Starkville with Greg Carter, who I think the world of. So coming from that line, I know the style of basketball that they play. … I think he really knows basketball. I love the style of basketball he coaches and the kids all like him. The players love to play for them, but he’s also tough on them. … It’s been a drought for a few years as far as the playoffs, and my expectations are that West Point should be in the playoffs every year. If we’re talented then maybe we make a run at Jackson, and if we’re not as talented then maybe it’s a first-round exit or second-round exit or whatever. We have the talent to be in the playoffs every year.”
Howard said he’s up for that challenge and he is bringing a brand of basketball fans and parents will enjoy – but it all starts with discipline.
“We like to bring a disciplined, up-and-down system. We like to get up and down, we like to run and we like to take good shots – but we like to take quick shots if it presents itself,” Howard said. “Defensively we like to get up and guard. We want to make sure the ball is always being pressured full court, half court or whatever it is to make it hard for the other team and wear them down where in the fourth quarter they are not as sharp as they were in the first quarter.”
Howard said he’s not opposed to trying to tap into West Point’s stash of football athletes and bring them onto the hardwood to try and change the course of the program, but anyone who plays for the Green Wave is going to have to buy into his leadership built on discipline.
“Not only on the court but off the court, be looking forward to a well-disciplined team,” he said. “I like for my guys to know what’s expected on the court and off the court. We are going to talk a certain way, we are going to walk a certain way. We are not going to be undisciplined or out of character of what we usually do.”
Howard said he is thankful for the opportunity to be back around his old stomping grounds.
“I’m definitely glad to get back in the Golden Triangle and back around family,” he added. “Growing up we played in West Point and even as I became an adult I still played in the West Point city league, so I know a bunch of faces around there. I’m just excited to get back and get around familiar faces.”
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
