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Deshler looking to make another playoff run

Brian Pounders knew in first grade that he wanted to be a basketball coach. Instead of catching a bus to go home, he walked over to the gym to watch his dad’s team practice. His father, Steve, served as a head coach for 30 years, including 24 years at Belgreen High School. Pounders played for his dad at Belgreen from 1995 to 1998.   

“Every day at 3 p.m. I walked to the gym and stayed until 5, 6, or 7 o’clock. I just loved it,” the Deshler head boys’ basketball coach explains. “I learned so many things about life from my dad. How to treat people, take the high road, and don’t be vindictive. If you work hard and do the right thing, you’ll be successful.”   

Pounders later worked as a student or volunteer assistant at three universities: at the University of North Alabama (UNA) under Bobby Champagne, at the University of Alabama under Mark Gottfried, and the University of Montevallo under Danny Young.

He came to Deshler in 2013 from Gardendale, where he worked as an assistant.   

Pounders has led the Tigers to a 19-11 overall record in 2024-25

Pounders has already seen history happen this season at his school. Jana Killen, the Deshler girls’ coach, won her 920th basketball game on January 21 when the Tigers defeated Hatton 77-33. With the win, Killen moved past former R.C. Hatch boys’ coach Eugene Mason to become the all-time wins leader for a boys or girls basketball coach in the state of Alabama. 

In 36 years, Killen already had a hall-of-fame resume, winning eight state basketball titles. Amazingly, she simultaneously coached Deshler’s volleyball program to a 1,063-492 record.  

“It’s unbelievable to watch her coach basketball,” Pounders said. “Just think: 920 wins. I could see her get over 1,000 wins. She’s a young 60 (years old) and sharp as a tack. Her record may last 50 years because coaches don’t coach that long anymore.”  

“The Dome” where Deshler plays its home games

After beginning 1-6 in 2023-24, the Deshler boys put together a magical run in their own right, one that propelled the Tigers to their first state semifinal appearance since 2008. Deshler eventually lost to American Christian Academy 58-54. 

This season, the Tigers are 19-11 overall, and will host the Area 14 tournament on Tuesday, February 4. Can Pounders and the Tigers make another run this postseason?    

“We still have a lot of the same pieces from last year’s run, but they’re different pieces,” Pounders, the Times Daily 2024 Large School Coach of the Year, said. “We have 17 teams in our region including the four areas, and it’s really balanced. There’s not a Goliath in our region in the Northwest, but we must play our best to advance. We’ve played a tough schedule which has prepared us for the postseason.”  

Deshler’s three-sport athlete, Garrett Reid

Deshler is a talented team that includes senior Jovi Jackson, three-sport specialist Garrett Reid, and senior Aiden Woody, who surpassed the 1,000-point milestone earlier in January. Two players who made a big impact this season—junior Jaylen Thirkill and sophomore Jay Murner— returned from early season injuries. 

“Jaylen Thirkill has come a long way. He broke his hand and missed six games,” Pounders says. “We’ve had improvement from other guys, but he probably sticks out the most.  Jay Murner broke his foot during the football season and in the last three weeks has improved.” 

Deshler looks to survive and advance tomorrow night against Wilson High School, with tip-off set for 5 p.m. The winner will face the Central-Brooks winner with a chance to move on to the sub-regionals on Saturday. That winner will advance to the Sweet Sixteen regional tournament, held at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville. TG

Cover Photo: Deshler head boys’ coach Brian Pounders

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