Phoenix Childs is a state champion. The senior was a vital part of Phillips’ run to the Class 2A title last season, scoring 24 points in the super sectionals, 21 in the state semis, and 13 points in the championship.
Childs left Phillips, along with all the other returning varsity players, after coach Paris Martin left the school in the fall. He’s become the go-to star at Perspectives-Leadership and has taken his scoring to another level.
“He’s had five 30-point games,” Warriors coach Justin Rhymes said. “He’s one of the best players in the state. He sees a lot of different defenses and has adjusted to it. He’s been great.”
Childs scored 20 points in a 57-44 win at Ag. Science on Thursday. He made three consecutive three-pointers in a 13-point solo burst during the second quarter.
“I always had the [scoring] ability but [Rhymes] has gotten a lot more out of me,” Childs said. “Before I could score in spurts but Rhymes got me to where I can score at all three levels.”
The Warriors (11-7, 6-1 Red Star) led by 15 in the second quarter and by double-digits several times in the second half but Ag. Science, led by senior Chris Cole, was in the game until the final minute.
“These kids don’t give up,” Cyclones coach Shawn Finnin said. “They fight and they are scrappers. It’s nice to see.”
Cole led Ag. Science (12-6, 5-2) with 19 points and sophomore guard Isaiah Hall added 10 points. Senior Bryce Tillis finished with three points, nine rebounds and four blocks.
Perspectives-Leadership opened the season with expectations to compete for the city title and the Class 2A state championship, despite being placed in the Red Star conference. The Warriors opened the season 9-2 but entered Thursday’s game having lost five of their last six games.
“It’s been tough but we kept our heads locked in,” senior James Amison said. “We lost those games, but we are getting ready for city and state. That’s what our goal is. We are going to come back stronger. We are dogs.”
Amison, a 6-7 senior, had two points, seven rebounds and three blocks against the Cyclones.
“James has been everything for us,” Rhymes said. “He’s like our superhero. He doesn’t ask for a lot of attention. But he protects the rim and covers up a lot of mistakes we make. He’s been very consistent. He is definitely a college basketball player.”
Derrick Dowdell, Perspectives-Leadership’s other major transfer addition this season, finished with six points and five rebounds.
“We learned over that rough streak that we have to stay true to each other and play together,” Dowdell said. “Those games we lost, we gave up on each other and we can’t do that.”
A January lull doesn’t put any of the Warriors’ goals out of reach. Childs’ Phillips squad lost nine games last season and then won the 2A title.
“The players already here accepted me and [Dowdell] because they want to win something,” Childs said. “We just have to come together like we did at Phillips. Then we can make a run.”