Pike County has four senior leaders and they all find a different way to lead their teammates. Tevin Andrews, Quay Bailey, Jarrod Wilson and Deandre Mathis all helped the Pike County Bulldogs to a share of the AHSAA Class 3A, Area 4 title this year.

And they all found their own unique way on the court.

“Overall they have been a great class to work with this year,” PCHS head coach Doug Holland said. “We have seen a great core leadership from these seniors. Each one of them is unique in their own way, but they all have that determination to win and get better on and off the court.”

On the court, Andrews is the vocal leader directing his teammates where to go, picking them up when they do something good and telling them when they need to improve on something.

“I am more of a hands on leader,” Andrews said. “I like to yell a lot, so it seems like I am angry with them, but really I am just trying to get the point across. I like to talk to them rather than just show them. Sometimes we have a little controversy, but most of the time they respond great to that and it has been a fun year.”

Mathis never sells any of his fellow seniors short.

“Tevin has really come along and done well for us,” Mathis said. “And Quay is the natural leader for us because he was always the guard. We may fuss with each other, but we understand what we can and cannot do. We depend on each other.”

Andrews may be the on-court leader, but Mathis is the one all the Bulldogs look to off the court. Andrews, Bailey and Mathis have been playing together since elementary school and Mathis has always been the off the court leader of the pack.

“I feel like I am a role model to some of the younger players on and off the court,” Mathis said. “I have seen a lot of them come a long way, like (sophomore) Kendrick Jackson. He used to have an attitude problem, but not he is cool and calm out there and a real impact player on this team.”

Their off-court bond has kept the four ‘Dawgs in shape and out of trouble, according to Mathis.

Bailey said it has been an enjoyable time for him.

“I love them all and I enjoy playing with them all,” he said. “And I respect them all the time. I try to pick everybody up no matter what. I want to inspire them to get better and stay in the game all the time.”

Wilson is a newcomer to varsity, but he said it has been great playing with all the other guys.

“The whole team has a great chemistry on the court and off that has gotten us to where we are now,” Wilson said. “It has been great being around such good players because they make me better out there.”

The quartet of senior Bulldogs have their own leadership styles and it has been working for Pike County. These seniors will look to help their team go far in the postseason, starting with the area tournament tomorrow.