DeSOTO — Smack dab in the middle of Duke's shining moment, DeSoto high school was well represented by Duke sophomore Matt Jones.
"I'm just overwhelmed," he Jones.
Duke freshmen Tyus Jones and Grayson Allen stole the spotlight with their shot-making in Monday's national championship game. But make no mistake — Duke wouldn't have cut down the nets without the Devils' stingy defense.
"Amile [Jefferson], Matt [Jones], these guys, Marshall [Plumlee], they played great, great defense," said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski. "If we don't get stops we're not going to win the game."
Matt Jones first caught Krzyzewski's eye on the hardwood at DeSoto High School, where he was impressed with the tenacity with which he played defense and the way he went about his business on the court.
But it takes more than that to be successful at Duke.
"Great kid," said DeSoto head coach Chris Dyer. "I always tell everyone, 'If I had a daughter, he could date her."
Jones earned McDonald's All-American honors while at DeSoto. But its was his high character — not to mention his lock-down defense — that made him Duke material. That defense was on display in the title game as he shut down's Wisconsin's Sam Decker.
"Scoring's easy," Dyer said. "It's stopping people that's tough. I can guarantee that's one reason Matt starts for Duke, because Coach K recognizes that."
Jones joins former Lancaster star Thomas Hill as southern sector high school stars to win national titles at Duke. Sports fans will remember Hill's reaction to Christian Laettner's famous shot in the 1992 NCAA tournament against Kentucky.
Hill said he couldn't be more proud of how Jones played in Monday's title game. And because of Jones' basketball roots, DeSoto was able to enjoy the championship ride, too.
"Everybody in DeSoto takes pride in Matt," Coach Dyer said. "Everybody feels like this is part of theirs."
