McDonald a 'go-getter' for Mustangs

[KFDM COOP]

McDonald a 'go-getter' for Mustangs

Van Wade

The Orange Leader

WEST ORANGE — A go-getter.

That’s how West Orange-Stark basketball coach Doug McCarter describes 6-4 junior forward Jim McDonald.

McDonald has been a pleasant surprise in his first year at the varsity level. He gained valuable experience at the beginning of the season and as the campaign heads down the backstretch, he’s been inserted in the starting lineup as the Mustangs (18-11, 8-4) need two wins — at home against Hamshire-Fannett tonight and on the road at Kirbyville Tuesday — to snag a postseason spot.

“Jim has just been wonderful to coach all season long,†said McCarter. “He comes out here and works hard every single day, whether he’s on the court or in the classroom. He’s not a ‘me’ type of kid, he’s a ‘we’ kid and that’s the type of kid anyone would love to coach.â€

McDonald received some great early minutes when the season started, which made a big difference in his play.

“With some guys still playing football, I knew I was going to be able to get some playing time early on,†McDonald said. “The experience helped so much. The competition is a lot tougher at the varsity level, I found that out pretty quick.â€

McDonald’s play as the sixth man for most of the season has usually given the Mustangs a big boost. His long, lanky arms makes him invaluable on the defensive end and his work on the boards has been top-notch.

“When Jim is in, he crashes the boards relentlessly,†said McCarter. “He handles his own inside against other big guys too. He blocks out really well and he’s getting stronger and stronger as far as the fundamentals of the game is concerned.â€

McDonald has a pretty nice touch inside as far as his shot goes but with scorers like seniors Richard Netherly, Buddy Broussard, and Earl Thomas and junior Ronnie Dennis doing the bulk of the scoring, Jim likes his role.

“I like to get in a game and do whatever it takes to help our team win,†said McDonald. “Coach McCarter likes the way I go to the boards then that’s what I’m going to do. Coach McCarter is such a great coach and knows the game so well. He doesn’t just prepare us for basketball, he really likes to prepare us for life.â€

As far as being in the starting role again?

“Starting is not that big of a deal for me,†explained McDonald. “It does make me feel good that Coach McCarter and my teammates can depend on me to play and do a good job. I think I have a knack of getting rebounds and I feel my defense is pretty good. Going into next season, I really want to improve my offensive game.â€

“Jim realizes there’s a lot more skills that he can develop as far as the game goes,†said McCarter. “He’s kinda learned under fire this season and has performed well. The best thing about him is that you know he’s going to give it his all to get better and we expect even bigger things from him next year.â€

Two more wins or a Jasper (11-13, 7-5) loss would give the Mustangs yet another playoff berth under McCarter, who guided the Mustangs to the Class 3A State Semifinals last season.

“We’ve had a strange season, to say the least, this year,†said McCarter. “Two more wins and we assure ourselves a playoff spot. Where we go from there, it’s up to the kids. What I want to see in these last two games is all-out hustle. You want to be playing good going into the playoffs and we have to play better than the way we’ve played the last four or five games if we want to be successful.â€