Jackson Free Press

Grant Worsley, general manager and owner of the Jackson Showboats, swaggered into our meeting with a wide smile on his face. You would be happy, too, if you had just finished a successful first year with an overwhelmingly winning record in the national men's semi-professional league American Basketball Association, or ABA.

"Last year—our first year—was good. We finished with a 12-4 record and made the playoffs," Worsley says. "Those were some good young men, but this year we hope to do even better."

Worsley has even more reason to smile with this year's team. He assembled some Mississippi talent that could lead the Jackson Showboats to an ABA title in year two.

The team will include 2008 Mississippi Player of the Year Rashanti Harris of New Hope High School at center and Jonathan Phelps of Vicksburg High School at guard.

Harris led New Hope to a 4A title his senior season, and Scout.com named him the No. 2 center in the country for the class of 2008. Eventually, Harris played for the Halifax Rainmen of the Premier Basketball League in 2011.

Phelps started his college career at Kilgore College, a junior college in East Texas. He went on to play at Missouri Western State University out of Division II.

Joining Harris and Phelps is Louisiana native and former LSU star guard Terry Martin who started out at Texas Tech.

Former Jones County Junior College and Port Gibson High School star Kadeem Fleming will be in the front court. Fleming was a standout forward at Port Gibson.

Two more Vicksburg stars will also play for the Showboats: forward Chris Miller and guard Maurice Williams. Both played at Copiah-Lincoln Junior College.

Those familiar with Tougaloo College will recognize former All-American and Natchez native Jamal Bouldin when he takes the floor for the Showboats. Rounding out the roster is Darian Donald, who played at Caledonia High School and East Mississippi Community College.

Donald went on to sign with Mississippi Valley State and helped the Delta Devils reach the NCAA Tournament.

"We have a group of leaders who are young and hungry this season," Worsley says. "There is talent all over the floor and guys who can play in the NBA D-League or the NBA."

This season, which starts Nov. 8, the Jackson Showboats will play 11 home games at Kurts Gymnasium (125 Gymnasium Drive, 601-960-1883).

All games begin at 7 p.m., except Sunday games, which start at 3 p.m.. Admission is $5, and security will be provided. For more information, find Jackson Showboats on Facebook and Twitter at @jxnshowboats,.

Home Schedule

Nov. 8: Gulfport, Dec. 1: Mobile, Dec. 5: Shreveport, Dec. 14: Memphis, Dec. 15: Jacksonville, Dec. 22: Birmingham, Jan. 5: New Orleans, Feb. 9: Mobile, Feb. 15: Shreveport, March 1: Hattiesburg, March 8: Shreveport