David Boyd has won championships almost everywhere he’s coached – Campbell, Tucker, Berkmar and Milton. He taken 10 teams to a championship game and won six times. Now in his second season at East Jackson, the veteran coach has had to take some time away from the bench to take care of his own health.
Not many people are aware that Boyd has been insulin dependent for 32 years. He said it’s been a “monumental challenge” to eat properly so there will be enough energy in the tank for the fourth quarter. And anyone who has ever seen Boyd coach will understand that he doesn’t sit much and can at times be rather animated on the sidelines.
Boyd has been undergoing treatment for the condition since 2001, but one of the effects has been a reduced heart function. He’s actually been at risk of his heart stopping during a game. So Boyd is allowing assistant coach Jason Rainey to handle the game duties.
On Dec. 21 Boyd will have defibrillator surgery at Emory Hospital to help correct the situation. He will also be on some new medicine that is expected to increase his heart function. There is a two-week recovery period.
That means Boyd plans to be back on the sideline when East Jackson plays at Hart County on Jan. 5.
Boyd was actually more concerned with how his team was playing than he was with his own situation. East Jackson is 5-4 against what Boyd called a “crazy-man’s schedule” schedule, but is coming off impressive wins against Evans and Elbert County.
East Jackson made a run late last season, finished third in Region 8-AAA and reached the first round of the playoffs. But three seniors graduated and the Eagles dress eight freshmen and sophomores.
“For people to think we should dominate is unrealistic,” Boyd said.
Much optimism is based around the return of guard Drue Drinnon, a 6-foot-1 sophomore who does everything well and gives the team a true floor leader. He’s averaging 18 points and eight assists and has already started to get Division I offers.
Sophomore Travis Anderson, a 6-foot guard, gives the Eagles another scoring option. He put up 29 against Elbert County on Tuesday and averages 17 points.
Andrew Scott, a 6-2 senior best known as a football player, has been steady. He had a double-double against Elbert County.
Continuing to improve is post Kamron Walters, a 6-7 senior who didn't play basketball until the 10th grade. He appears to be learning fast and is already providing help.
Most eyes are waiting on the arrival of Jalyn Morgan, a powerful 6-4, 200-pound forward who is expected to be a difference maker. Morgan, a tremendous leaper, will be eligible to play in January and Boyd said, “He will be a real impact.” Boyd compared Morgan to Shaq Johnson, who signed with Auburn.
Boyd believes his team will continue to improve and be in position to make a run at the end of the year.
“I feel like we’ll keep getting better,” he said. “When you have a senior-oriented team, you don’t have much growth. You are what you are. When you have a young team like we’ve got, it continues to grow, to improve, to elevate. That’s where we are.”
East Jackson plays again Friday at Oconee County and plays at Monroe on Tuesday before competing in the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Dec. 28-31.
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