Maurice Dixon

@WriturRece

Darrell Hairston has helped a number of basketball players achieve success at the high school and AAU levels, and Josh Favors is putting himself in position to add his name to the list.

Standing 5-11 with the ability to dunk regularly, Favors is a sophomore point guard hoping to play on the varsity squad for the next three years at Creekside High School.

“Coach Hairston makes me better,” Favors said. “He knows things I need to work on to get me to the next level.”

Hairston, the founder of DH Hoops, has trained and coached a number of big-time college players such as Jonathan Walker (Delaware State), K’Ja Johnson (FAMU), Beau Carter (Savannah State) and Paul Jackson (Eastern Michigan).

“That made me want to work with him because he’s worked with polished players,” Favors said. “Players who went on to the next level. That lets me know he can help get me to the next level also.”

Favors has been working out with Hairston for some time on a daily basis, focusing on being a better ball handler and shooter along with getting stronger.

“I can attack the basket pretty good and rebound pretty good and I get my teammates involved,” Favors said.

“I think he is one of the top 10th graders in the state because he works hard,” Hairston said. “A lot of AAU coaches are asking me about him now. I think he will have a breakout year. He was like K’Ja when he was in the 10th grade. His skill set is phenomenal. He will be able to write his own ticket.”

A transfer from Banneker High School, Favors could be one of many new faces on varsity along with new coach Greg Freeman. During the summer, Favors had a chance to show Freeman what he can do on the basketball court against other teams at Eagle’s Landing High.

“This year, we might be even better because we had a lot of kids who transferred in,” Favors said.

Describing himself as a hard worker and good listener, Favors is a fan of Russell Westbrook.

“You know how some players just focus on one part of their game but he does everything really,” Favors said. “He rebounds, scores, passes and steals the ball.”

Hairston was also enthusiastic about Favors  being a punctual young man and equally thankful for  the contributions of his sponsor and mentor Don W. Guffey, whom he has known for 32 years.