Charles Swartz: VDN’s 2024-2025 Junior High Basketball Coach of the Year

VICKSBURG, Miss. — Charles Swartz was on a mission this basketball season, and he successfully reached his destination. The Warren Central Junior High School boys’ basketball team became a dominant force, winning the Little Six Championship in December.

Swartz has now been awarded the Coach Billups Award which represents the VDN Junior High Basketball Coach of the Year.

“I think we had a great season and everything came at the right moment,” Swartz said. “That championship game was a roller coaster but we found a way to win.”

With his starting lineup having plenty of experience from the previous year, Swartz sensed that they would start the year off strong. The Vikings did as expected as they opened the season against their rival, Vicksburg Junior High School. 

As the season progressed, Swartz led the Vikings over teams like Old Towne, Byram, and Clinton before preparing for the big Little Six Tournament. Making it to the Championship wasn’t easy as WCJHS had to face Brandon who defeated them earlier in the year.

The Bulldogs had momentum but it was enough to stop the Vikings as they won 39-31 to advance to the championship game. A few days they, Swartz earned his first championship as Head Coach after leading his team to a victory over Pearl. 

“It was deserving because we definitely put in the time and work,” Swartz added. “We made it there three years ago so it was special to pull this one off and witness the hard work paying off.”

Although Swartz is the leader of the team, he gives much credit to his assistant coaches Kensell Batty and Victor Tyrone who were a huge part of the program.

“I couldn’t have done it without those guys because they played an important role and the parents gave great support all year,” he added.

After the season, Swartz had three of his star players be moved up immediately to the high school team which showed that he built his program so that his athletes would learn to play on a higher level. 

This is Swartz’s first year being recognized for this award, and he’s already preparing his team for next season.