More than a manager: Anthony ‘Moose’ Edwards earns Northwest scholarship

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  • As one of four managers for the boys basketball team, Anthony “Moose” Edwards does everything from washing game uniforms and practice uniforms to sweeping the floor, running the clock during practice, and keeping stats.

  • Calling Anthony “Moose” Edwards “a great kid from a great family,” Coach Newton Mealer recruited Edwards as a manager for the boys basketball team because “his personality just seemed like it would fit for what we were doing as a team.”

Anthony “Moose” Edwards, who has spent four years as a manager for the Center Hill High School boys basketball team, will now be a manager at the college level.

“He just got a scholarship offer to Northwest Mississippi Community College, and he’s going to continue on being a manager for their basketball program,” Mustangs head coach Newton Mealer said.

As one of four basketball managers, Edwards’ job is to aid the team.

“Whatever they need I provide,” he said. “I take off some of the coaches’ workload and just help out. Without us, they wouldn’t even be able to function on the court.”

That’s true, said Mealer, who explained that Edwards is probably the most important part of the team.

“He does everything from washing game uniforms, washing practice uniforms, sweeping the floor, taking care of our practice plans, doing the clock during practice, getting things on and off the bus, filming, stats,” Mealer said. “You name it, he’s done it in his four years. Not one time has he ever complained.”

Mealer, calling Edwards “a great kid from a great family,” said he recruited him as a manager because he was suited to the task.

“His personality just seemed like it would fit for what we were doing as a team,” Mealer said. “Our program is all about brotherhood, and I needed to find the right person to help us. His character and the way he presented himself made me want to do that.”

Junior Decorian Payton, a center for the Mustangs, said Edwards is part of the team and they enjoy being around him.

“He always puts us in a good mood,” Payton said. “I feel like he is more than a manager. He’s a part of this. Really, every time we hang out with Moose it’s like a special moment, because we are always laughing and joking around with him.”

Landon Armstrong, a freshman guard on the JV team, also shared his favorite story about Edwards.

“One time it was just a hard day for him, when his mom was diagnosed with cancer, and he still came and he just did so much for us like getting us water without us asking and just cleaning up the court and everything,” Armstrong said. “He’s the best.”