By Robert Wilson
There have been many outstanding guards in the rich tradition of the Callaway boys basketball program, dating back to the days of flashy Eddie Archie in the late 1970s and most recently stars like Malik Newman, Deville Smith, and Daeshun Ruffin, the latest in the line of McDonald’s All-Americans.
There’s a new high-scoring guard at Callaway named Braxton Ward and he had one of the best weeks of his career last week.
The 6-foot-2 junior averaged 28.5 points in two games last week.
For his outstanding performance, Ward has been named the Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Boys Basketball Player of the Week.
Ward had 32 points in a 69-54 victory over Pearl and 25 points in a 69-62 loss to defending MHSAA Class 6A state champion Ridgeland last week.
He is averaging 22.7 points per game this season for Callaway, which has a 9-9 record after Tuesday’s 77-70 victory over Greenville. Ward ranks eighth in scoring average in Mississippi by MaxPreps.
Ward – a member of the Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard Preseason Metro Jackson Elite 11 Team – has scored more than 30 points in three of his last four games, 31 against Clinton, 32 against Pearl and 31 against Greenville. He has had five games of more than 30 points, including a season-high 33 points against Brandon this season.
“Braxton has been special for us all season, and his numbers speak for themselves,” Callaway coach Joshua “Skip” Harvey said. “But what stands out most is how he’s impacting the game in more ways now defensively, vocally, and as a leader. When Braxton raises his intensity on defense, it fuels our offense and lifts the confidence of our entire team. His confidence is contagious, and the way he’s stepped up lately is exactly what we need moving into district play.”
Ward averaged 19.7 points and led Callaway to a 11-20 record and the MHSAA Class 6A first round last season as a sophomore.
He was on the third team of the Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Team last season.
“Braxton was a huge piece for us last season,” Harvey said. “He led us in multiple ways on both ends of the floor. His maturity, leadership and competitiveness set the tone for our team. Offensively, his ability to create his own shot and score in a variety of ways really took a step forward.”
Ward has offers from Alcorn State and New Mexico State and multiple community colleges.
Ward is the son of Reginald and Fatima Ward. Reginald played multiple sports at Bay Springs High, played basketball at Alcorn State and is a member of the Alcorn State Basketball Hall of Fame. Fatima played multiple sports at Moss Point High and attend ed Alcorn State. Ward’s siblings are Xavier Agee, Payton, Reginald and Shelby.
Callaway plays host to Warren Central in a MHSAA Class 6A, Region 2 game Thursday at Callaway in North Jackson.
Mississippi Scoreboard selects a boys basketball player from Hinds, Madison, or Rankin counties each week. Coaches can nominate a player by sending a text to Robert Wilson at 601.506.2276.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
WEEK ONE: Jeff Flanagan, Madison Central
WEEK TWO: Sam Funches, Germantown
WEEK THREE: Lazabian Banks, Lanier
