Calhoun's Davison reaches final moments of celebrated prep career
By GRAHAM DUNN
TALLASSEE – The following statement is a fact.
Jerdarrian “JD” Davison is a very special high school basketball player.
Another fact – he should lead the Calhoun Tigers to a Class 2A title, their second in as many years.
Third fact – he has more people watching him than any other prospect in River Region history.
That’s saying a lot considering the talent that has come from these parts over the years. The names are too many to mention.
But few have gained the accolades of Davison from a national standpoint.
The 6-foot-3 point guard is considered the top player at his position in the country, possibly the world. No, that’s not hyperbole. However many stars a recruiting service awards the top player, he gets them.
Sports Illustrated called him “one of the most dominant players” in this class.
In a non-COVID world, Davison would be playing in standing-room-only gymnasiums every night. Instead, locals must limit attendance, although on this night, somebody forgot how to count as the Tallassee High School gym was close to capacity, which supposedly is about 1,500.
Not bad for a kid that grew up in the little town of Letohatchee in Lowndes County, who spent time in his youth at Calhoun games to watch older family members play for the Tigers.
“It was part of my life growing up,” Davison said prior to taking the court against Tallassee a few weeks ago.
“My brother played here so I was at almost every game.”
His coach, Ervin Starr, has been the maestro of this ride, which has taken the road to places young men from their part of the world rarely get to visit.
“It’s been a wild rollercoaster ride and if you like rollercoasters, it’s been fine,” Starr said. “The fact that we are doing this for our kids, I don’t have a problem with it, especially when it’s a good kid and JD is - worth it.
“We’ve been to Chicago and Hilton Head, SC and Memphis. It has been places we might otherwise not get a chance to go. They are enjoying this ride as much as JD is. Everybody comes to see him but I tell them this is a chance for people to see you.”
Calhoun enters this week’s AHSAA playoffs as a favorite to repeat, although the 12-7 record may not look like that of a champion. But the Tigers have played some of the best teams in the country.
“Everybody wants a crack at him,” Starr said. “It has helped him and this team.”
Thanks to social media, most have seen Davison’s massive dunks and crazy shots, including the 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat Barbour County in last year’s 2A title game.
He had plenty of practice growing up but what made him the top point guard was not the shooting aspect of his game. As a 7-year-old, he was playing with guys five years older than he was.
Playing against older kids helped Davison develop into a passer since they would get mad at him if he took too many shots.
“I had to pass or they would get on me,” Davison said. “But I got to shoot some and I had to make them.”
It didn’t take long for Calhoun’s coaches to notice his talents. He was quickly jettisoned to the varsity as a freshman, which is a rarity for the program that has four state titles to its credit.
“You could tell immediately he had something special,” stated Starr. “I always bring up when we lost in semifinals when he was as sophomore and I was asked where he will end up. I said, ‘he is the best athlete in the state – even as a sophomore.’ I’ve seen him joking around on a football field, pick up a ball and throw it (80 yards). He will never be compared to a Bo Jackson but if (JD) wanted to be a wide receiver, he’d be the best in the state. He can be a great baseball player. But basketball is his passion.”
Davison admits to being a gym rat. Whenever he can sneak into some place to play, he’s there. Just throw him the key and he will lock up when he’s done.
“I play whenever I can,” Davison said. “Early morning or late at night, I’m on the court.”
“You don’t get that good without putting in the work and that’s the one thing I’ve admired the most. He works very hard,” Starr said.
Despite the attention, the Tigers’ administration is doing all it can to allow Davison enjoy the “high school” experience. While Starr is called on to do interviews about his Naismith semifinalist, he keeps it somewhat limited although the two of them have been on the circuit for most of the year.
Davison has put away some of his shyness and is becoming more comfortable with the interviews he’s asked to do. But he still prefers to hang out with his teammates when given the chance.
“He grew up with all these guys so they are longtime friends,” Starr said. “It’s like having four brothers at the house. He is relaxed and calm once he’s used to you. There were times it was like pulling teeth to have a conversation with him. But he’s better than he used to be with conversations.”
Davison is in no hurry to give up the last few weeks as a high school star but beginning this Thursday, the next loss could mean his season is over. Calhoun will face either Luverne or Highland Home in the area final and then move on to the sub-regionals where it could be one-and-done.
“That’s what we are concentrating on right now, winning another title,” Davison said. “All the rest will come in time.”
“We don’t talk about it (during the season),” Starr said. “We haven’t repeated (a state championship) at this school. It would be great to go back-to-back but we are in the one-game-at-a-time mode, especially with the pandemic, you just don’t know.”
Fans in Montgomery should get at least one more chance to see him in person before he heads off to play for the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tigers are slated to be in the South Regional at Garrett Coliseum. If they reached the regional final, they are currently scheduled to play at some point later this month.
“I’m taking everything in,” Davison said. “It means a lot to have this opportunity. I’m ready for another shot at a title with this team.”
AHSAA AREA TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS (River Region)
Note: All Area tournament games are played on the campus of highest seed. Location of Area finals will be determined based on seeding. Teams reaching finals will advance to State Sub-Regional round.
GIRLS AREA TOURNEYS
1A Area 6
Central-Haynevile at Notasulga, Monday, 5 p.m.
Finals at Loachapoka, Friday, 6 p.m.
1A Area 7
Billingsley at Verbena, Monday, 5 p.m.
Maplesville at Autaugaville, Monday, 5 p.m.
Finals, Thursday, 5 p.m.
2A Area 5
Calhoun at Highland Home, Monday, 6 p.m.
Finals at Luverne, Thursday, 6 p.m.
3A Area 6
Catholic at Montgomery Academy, Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Prattville Christian at Trinity, Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.
Finals, Friday, 6 p.m.
4A Area 3
Bullock County at Booker T. Washington, Monday, 6 p.m.
Finals at St. James, Thursday, 6 p.m.
4A Area 5
BTW Magnet at LAMP, Tuesday, 5 p.m.
Finals at Alabama Christian, Friday, 5 p.m.
5A Area 5
Tallassee at Pike Road, Tuesday, 5 p.m.
Beauregard at Brew Tech, Tuesday, 5 p.m.
Finals, Friday, 5 p.m.
5A Area 6
Holtville at Marbury, Monday, 6 p.m.
Elmore County at Jemison, Monday, 6 p.m.
Finals, Thursday, 6 p.m.
6A Area 3
Sidney Lanier at Park Crossing, Monday, 6 p.m.
Robert E. Lee at G.W. Carver, Monday, 6 p.m.
Finals, Thursday, 6 p.m.
6A Area 5
Benjamin Russell at Stanhope Elmore, Tuesday, 5 p.m.
Finals at Wetumpka, Friday, 6 p.m.
7A Area 3
Prattville at Enterprise, Tuesday, 4 p.m.
Jeff Davis at Dothan, Tuesday, 4 p.m.
Finals, Friday, 6 p.m.
BOYS AREA TOURNEYS
1A Area 6
Central-Haynevile at Notasulga, Tuesday, 5 p.m.
Finals at Loachapoka, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
1A Area 7
Billingsley at Autaugaville, Tuesday, 5 p.m.
Verbena at Maplesville, Tuesday, 5 p.m.
Finals, Friday, 5 p.m.
2A Area 5
Luverne at Highland Home, Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Finals at Calhoun, Thursday, TBA
3A Area 6
Prattville Christian at Catholic, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Montgomery Academy at Trinity, Wednesday, 6 p.m.
Finals, Saturday, 6 p.m.
4A Area 3
Bullock County at St. James, Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Finals at Booker T. Washington, Friday, 6 p.m.
4A Area 5
BTW Magnet at LAMP, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Finals at Alabama Christian, Friday, 7 p.m.
5A Area 5
Beauregard at Pike Road, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Tallassee 1, Brew Tech 0 (forfeit)
Finals, Friday, 7 p.m.
5A Area 6
Holtville at Elmore County, Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Jemison at Marbury, Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Finals, Friday, 6 p.m.
6A Area 3
Sidney Lanier at G.W. Carver, Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Robert E. Lee at Park Crossing, 6 p.m.
Finals, Friday, 6 p.m.
6A Area 5
Stanhope Elmore at Benjamin Russell, Wednesday, 6 p.m.
Finals at Wetumpka, Saturday, 6 p.m.
7A Area 3
Prattville at Enterprise, Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Dothan at Jeff Davis, Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.
Finals, Saturday, 6 p.m.