Note: On Saturday, October 1st, the Jackson Parish Sports Hall of Fame (JPSHOF) will hold induction ceremonies for the “Class of 2022” at the Family Life Center of the Jonesboro First Baptist Church. Over the past several weeks the Jackson Parish Journal has provided features on each of the electees into “hallowed hall.” Today: Derickal Saulsberry.
According to the records on hand, the earliest good fortunes of the boys basketball teams outside of local and district play at the now defunct Chatham High School boys basketball date back to 1931. That was when the Eagles finished in third place of the North Louisiana Championship Invitational, the annual tourney that determined who would qualify for the state championship tournament. In 1938 the Eagles made it to the finals of the Northeast Center of LSU tourney which was essentially the same things as the North LA Championships, just under another name. Fourteen years later, Chatham reached the Class B quarterfinals.
Fast forward to the period from 1975 – 1992 when, under the tutelage of JPSHOF member, Talton Barron, Chatham won the district championship virtually every year. Through the annual contribution of gaudy win-loss records and 13 district championship trophies, “Talton Time” was considered the best period on Chatham boys basketball history, but even then, success at state was elusive at best.
All that changed with the arrival of Derickal Saulsberry in 1993.
As soon as Saulsberry, who had a twin sister named Erickal (also a very talented ball player) stepped into the starting lineup as a freshman it was obvious that the young man was special. Saulsberry could shoot with anyone from downtown and was tremendously adept at taking the ball to the hoop. Even though being listed at a generous 5’11” the fearless guard loved to head into the land of the giants, where by virtue of his tremendous leaping ability would often times soar over and above bigger defenders.
Saulsberry first gave a glance of his abilities in a contest against Marion where he orchestrated an offensive attack that ended with the Eagles setting a new school record for points in a 129-87 victory. It wasn’t long that he became well known in north Louisiana.
The next season Saulsberry became known state-wide.
It is rare that a sophomore rises to such prominence, but after scoring 25.8 points per game and averaging 12.8 rebounds, Saulsberry wasn’t just known, he was recognized by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association as the Class B Most Valuable Player in the state. To Saulsberry though, his greatest accomplishment was leading Chatham to the state semi-finals and their first ever “Top 28” tournament appearance.
After already proving that he could score and rebound as good as anybody in the state, Saulsberry left no doubt what was most important to him as a player his junior year. That was the season that Chatham won 41 of 47 games and their first ever state title. The unstoppable guard led the way with a 20.7 ppg average, including scoring a game high 27 points in the 71-52 Class B finals victory over Epps.
f it had been his main objective to be among the state leaders in points scored and rebounds he could have easily accomplished that but what was important to him was his unique desire to make those around him better. Call it mission accomplished. This is verified by the Eagles finishing the season with all five starters averaging in double figures in points.
If you think Saulsberry showed rare character as a junior to put the teams success over his own personal gain and accolades, it was nothing compared to what he did his senior season. Once again, Chatham waltzed their way to the Class B state championship. This year though it was in even more convincing fashion as with Saulsberry directing traffic, Chatham set a Class B record for most points scored in a quarterfinal contest (102 vs Castor), most points scored in a semi-final contest (104 vs Lacassine) and a Top 28 record for most points scored in the two state tournament games (104 vs Lacassine and 90 vs Mt. Hermon).
For the third straight season Saulsberry was named MVP of the district and for the second time to the Class B All State team after averaging another double / double, that included a team leading 10.8 boards per game.The true testament to what made Saulsberry special was that when most seniors would focus on being the leading scorer their final season, he only was third on the team in points per game.
Ask any coach and they would tell you that it would be a dream to have a player like that. Ask any teammate what it would be like to play with someone who thought more about you getting better than his gaining own accolades and they will tell you the same.
That is why for those few years at Chatham High School, having the twin on the team was twice as nice. That is also why Derickal Saulsberry is a worthy selection to be included in the Jackson Parish Sports Hall of Fame.