By Robert Wilson
St. Andrew’s alumnus Rashad Bolden, now a sophomore at Mississippi College, led the Saints to three state championships just a few years ago.
Another St. Andrew’s guard – senior Larrson Calhoun – didn’t get a state title, but finished his career last week, putting on a show that reminded fans of Bolden when he was a scoring and passing machine at St. Andrew’s.
The 5-foot-7 Calhoun had a career-high 29 points, 8 assists, 3 steals and 3 rebounds to lead St. Andrew’s to a 65-59 double overtime victory over Heidelberg in the first round of the MHSAA Class 2A playoffs.
For his outstanding performance, Calhoun has been named the PriorityOne Bank/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Boys Basketball Player of the Week.
Calhoun’s last high school game was a valiant effort as he had 22 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds in a 67-52 loss in the second round at Bogue Chitto, considered the favorite to win the 2A state championship. He made 8 of 16 shots from the field, 3 of 6 from 3-point range, and 3 of 4 from the free throw line.
Calhoun’s performance against Heidelberg was one to remember. He made 9 of 16 shots from the field, 2 of 5 from 3-point range, and 9 of 11 from the free throw line and willed his team to victory.
“We were down 11 points halfway through the fourth quarter and Larrson put us on his back and we clawed back to force overtime,” St. Andrew’s coach Russell Marsalis said. “We were down 6 with 11 seconds left and he hit a huge step back 3-pointer. We then forced a turnover and Larrson was held on the inbounds and calmly hit two free throws with just a few seconds left to send it into overtime. He continued to hit big shot after big shot as we finally pulled away in double overtime.”
Calhoun averaged 14.5 points this season, but he averaged 25 points over his last five games. He also averaged 3.7 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals this season for the 7-15 Saints.
“Larrson is a quiet guy by nature, but I challenged him after last season to become more of a vocal leader and he did that,” Marsalis said. “I can’t tell you how much he means to our team and how much he will be missed next season. Larrson took on a lot of defensive pressure from our opponents, but he is so quick that it was hard to double team and contain him. Our vastly improved play the last couple of weeks of the season was a direct correlation from and his other fellow seniors stepping up their play.”
Calhoun is also an outstanding track athlete and specializes in the 800 meters and 1,600 meters. He hasn’t decided if he is going try to play basketball or run track in college.
Calhoun is the son of Hazel and Larry Calhoun. Haze graduated from JJ McClain High in Lexington. Larry graduated from Central High in St. Louis. He played basketball, track and football in high school and also at Coahoma Community College. Hazel and Larry have bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Jackson State. Hazel is a former soccer official. Larry was a part of three state championships as a coach at Lanier. He also a former basketball and volleyball official. Calhoun has an older brother and sister. Courtney Hubbard graduated from Murrah and Hinds CC. Brittany Calhoun graduated from Murrah, Hinds CC and Jackson State.
Calhoun’s great uncle, Corky Calhoun, played basketball at the University of Pennsylvania and was a first-round draft pick and fourth overall pick of the 1972 NBA Draft. He played nine years in the NBA and won an NBA championship with the Portland Trailblazers in 1977. Calhoun was a 6-foot-7 forward and played with center Bill Walton, considered one of the greatest centers in NBA history.
Mississippi Scoreboard selects a boys basketball player from Hinds, Madison, or Rankin counties each week. Coaches can nominate a player by text or call to Robert Wilson at 601.506.2276.
Previous Players of the Week
Week One: Mike Williams, Jackson Academy
Week Two: Dylan Rowe, Madison Central
Week Three: Eric Paymon, Raymond
Week Four: Ashton Magee, MRA
Week Five: Morris Hammond, Ridgeland
Week Six: Michael Wallace, McLaurin
Week Seven: Mason Williams, Jackson Academy
Week Eight: Avery Thomas, Terry
Week Nine: Eric Paymon, Raymond
Week Ten: Dylan Rowe, Madison Central
