Dahaun Jones & Pharell Davis Are ready to lead NLCA this year!
We caught up with New Life Christian Guards Dahaun Jones and Pharell Davis after the Monarchs Open Gym/Workout session on Thursday afternoon. Jones and Davis were both role players for the squad last year but this year they step into…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe caught up with New Life Christian Guards Dahaun Jones and Pharell Davis after the Monarchs Open Gym/Workout session on Thursday afternoon. Jones and Davis were both role players for the squad last year but this year they step into a much larger role, including being team leaders, check out what else is going on with the NLCA backcourt.
Q: It’s a new squad this year, you all have a different look, somewhat smaller, you both have different roles on the team now so how has your approach to things been different this year?
Dahaun: It’s a new team of course so we are just trying to work together on things and really get the team chemistry right. We are a smaller team so we are going to have to play faster but we will be in good shape so that will help.
Pharell: Leadership, last year we both played our different roles but this year we have to do more, step in and be starters and help lead the team to wins.
Q: I see you all added Ricardo Polk as well as some younger talent, having been in the fire last season with the intense schedule that you all played, what some things you learned that can help you as you try to help the team this year?
Pharell: You have to play with toughness every time you step on the court, playing strong full court defense and pressing your man to get turnovers.
Dahaun: Every play counts, you can’t take possessions off so we just have to play together.
Q: As we spoke about earlier, you guys are a small team so tempo will be huge for you all, we know coach works hard with getting you all in top shape. So what’s some of the things that you have been doing to get the team into top shape?
Dahaun: Bear crawls, push-ups, suicides, anything you can think of, we started this week so we just have to get ready and work hard because the first game is November 5th vs Word of God and it’s going to be a tough game.
Q: Individually, in the offseason what did each of you do to improve your game?
Pharell: I watched film of my AAU games, got a lot of shots up and running in my neighborhood to stay in shape. Push-ups every night to try and get stronger because last year I was a smaller player so I just wanted to come in this year and be stronger.
Dahaun: Really just working on everything every day, I didn’t take days off and just wanted to get better. Putting a lot of time in on my shot, even working on my three point shooting to take my game to the next level.
Q: On Game day, what some things that you do to get your mind right before the game.
Pharell: Subway, play some Meek Mill, Lil Baby, just get my mind locked in and ready to play.
Dahaun: Listen to music all day, and Zaxby’s is the best pregame food for me.
Q: Goals for this season?
Pharell: My goal is to lead this team, no matter if its points, rebounds, assist, just to help lead my team to getting wins. Team wise we still have the same goals as last year, win state, nationals, all of the tournaments.
Dahaun: I care about winning that it’s really. Of course I want to average more than I did last year and get MVP but I’m focused on winning games, we don’t want to lose any games, but we have to grind and work hard.
Q: Both of you came from out of the area to attend school here, what would you tell youngsters that may be making the same move?
Pharell: You have to tune everything out back home, people will call you and tell you need to come back home. Just tune out of all that out and focus on what you need to do, because your goal should be a college scholarship.
Dahaun: Hang out with the right people, surround yourself with people that want to do better and that will help you stay on the right track in life. Stay focused and grind as well as always remaining humble regardless of what may be going on.