Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Basketball Court Becomes Sanctuary
TIGER SEEKS TO REALIZE POTENTIAL AS PLAYMAKER
PRAIRIE GROVE — Basketball is focal part of D.J. Pearson’s life and his love for the game continues to evolve as he strives to become a primary playmaker for the Tiger varsity.
Pearson likes playing in front of big crowds like the packed house who witnessed the Tigers upset top-ranked Pea Ridge, 59-56, in the last week of regular season play in February. Tiger fans roared their approval with each play Prairie Grove successfully executed and there was no shortage of highlights.
Basketball Soundtrack
The game atmosphere thrills him. His heart beats to a basketball soundtrack.
“Where I really fell in love with the game is where I started loving all the little stuff,” Pearson said. “I love all the little things about the game, the way the ball sounds when it goes through the net, the way it sounds when it hits the floor. That’s music to my ears. I could listen to that all day.”
Such is an environment Pearson dwells in to the extent everywhere else becomes matter-of-fact. He was born with a hardwood heritage. His father, Derek Pearson, of North Little Rock, was a McDonald’s All-American nominee in high school and attended an NCAA Division II school, Rose State, in Oklahoma where he became Division II Player of the Year.
“I don’t feel like I have to fill his shoes, but he was really good,” Pearson said.
Coach Stresses Preparation
Pearson has heard legends about his uncle, James Pitts, described as good enough to have made the NBA if he wanted to. He’s not sure why Pitts didn’t go pro, but is picking up on the discipline of game preparation from Prairie Grove head boys basketball coach Steve Edmiston.
“Coach Edmiston, he studies game film, he’s always prepared,” Pearson said. “He always has a game plan, no matter who it is, if it’s Pea Ridge or Lincoln, he tells us how we’re going to guard the person. I don’t think a lot of people give him credit, he’s a really good coach. He knows basketball.”
Edmiston rewards effort and Pearson knows if he gives 100 percent, Edmiston will compensate those, who might not possess the most talent with playing time. Edmiston expects his players to come to work and put forth an effort in every practice.
Pearson endeavors to balance the seriousness of life with extracting the maximum enjoyment of each moment he is on the basketball court. He describes the paradox in this manner, “Honestly, it (basketball) is more than a game, some people say it’s their sacred place. Basketball teaches a lot of life skills.”
As much as he values the sport, Pearson maintains a realistic perspective, “At the end of the day, it’s just a game.”
Becoming Go-To Guy
Edmiston has let Pearson know he wants to capitalize on Pearson’s ball-handling and ball-distribution skills and sees his potential as a playmaker. Pearson accepts the challenge and desires to become a go-to guy in the coach’s arsenal.
“Coach wants me to be the point-guard and make everybody better, he wants me to make sure we’re on the right track,” Pearson said. “If I make my teammates better, then it will elevate everybody’s game and help the team overall.”
Pearson longs to become the guy that everybody on the team can depend on. Developing consistency is his top priority, something he says was the team’s biggest problem last season. The Tigers were eliminated in the first-round of the district tournament. Pearson envisions the Tigers advancing to Regionals and qualifying for state.
For dedicated hardwood warriors, basketball transcends the ordinary and the court becomes a sanctuary for Pearson. He realizes he’s not the only player, who utilizes basketball to express emotion. Pearson thinks Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook plays angry by the way he attacks the rim.
“Everything goes out the window, it’s just you,” Pearson said. “When you’re on the court, it’s like nothing else matters. It’s just you and that ball and the goal.”
Peacefully Shooting Baskets
Steve Nash, whose NBA career spanned stints with the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers, stated in a 2013 documentary that basketball provides an outlet. All one has to do is step on the court and shoot around.
“Shooting (baskets) is also something, you know, practicing is something that can be just a little bit meditative cause it gets you away from everything else,” Nash said. “You forget about everything else. Sometimes, you’re thinking about other things when you’re shooting (baskets), but its still good for you. It’s good for you to let your mind go, to let your mind go and to not have to be in a regimented place or time always.”
Pearson’s daily routine may present temptations to react emotionally towards situations, but like Nash, he finds refuge on the hardwood.
“There’s been multiple times before a game that something’s happened or even after a game, and I’ll just get a ball and shoot around and it just goes back to normal,” Pearson said. “The game helps me get away from everything.”
Trash talk during games doesn’t bother Pearson because he tunes out hecklers.
“When I’m on the court, I don’t listen to what people have to say,” Pearson said. “Some people listen to what outsiders say, I just let my game speak for itself. I’m not out to prove anybody wrong.”