SUPER SENIOR: Varnado has sights set on making state

BROWNSVILLE – After the season ended quicker than the Haywood boys' basketball team wanted last year, Jordon Varnado still had the opportunity to make the trip to Murfreesboro and step foot on the floor during state championship Saturday.

Varnado was one of three individuals honored as a Class AA Mr. Basketball finalists.

"That motivated me to keep working hard," Varnado said. "But now I want to bring my team up to state this year."

Varnado averaged 16 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks per game last season.

Haywood lost back-to-back games early in the postseason after going undefeated through the regular season.

"That was motivation for us this year," Varnado said. "We are more hungry. We know what it takes to get there."

Haywood loses two starters off of last year's team — Sadaris Delk and Jeffrey Starks — but the Tomcats have the ability to reload quickly.

"We have another big man coming up that will replace Sadarius," Varnado said. "We have got to be tougher and mentally stronger. We have to have the will to win."

Varnado knows that more will be asked of him this season, and he has put in the time during the offseason to improve his game to be ready.

"We know that it is going to take hard work and team chemistry," he said. "I have to be willing to take big shots in crunch time.

"I have been working on my ball handling, shooting and being mentally tougher."

Haywood coach Kendall Dancy has seen just how special Varnado can be on the court.

"He brings leadership and a tremendous work ethic," Dancy said. "On the court, Jordon can shoot from distance, handle the ball, get to the basket and post up. He causes mismatch problems for the other team. He also works to make the guys around him better."

Varnado is being recruited on a high level for next year. He already has offers from Troy, Western Kentucky, MTSU and UT Chattanooga, and has been in contact with Tennessee State, Florida Gulf Coast and Northern Arizona.

"I want to play on the next level," Varnado said. "I have to get better every day."

Michael Odom, 425-9754

Continuing series

This is the 17th in a series of 18 where we will highlight the top nine boys and nine girls that will be seniors heading into the upcoming high school basketball season. The series will alternate between male and female and go in alphabetical order.