Shed Haynes leads country's top defensive team

Shed Haynes was known for his offensive talents when he played basketball at Palmetto High, State College of Florida and Lackawanna College.

But the guard is making a name for himself on the defensive end at Tarlleton State College (Texas), which leads the nation (Division II) in fewest points allowed and field goal percentage defense.

The Texans are holding opponents to 34.9 shooting and giving up 51.6 points per game. Haynes has been a ball-hawk and the leads the team in steals (20). The point guard is also tops in assists (51) and is averaging 9.8 points per game.

Haynes was one of the best 3-point shooters in the country in the one year that he played for Lackawanna after transferring from SCF. Last season he was at USF, didn’t get the playing time he wanted and transferred.

Though he has made defense a priority this year, Haynes is still a point guard who can hurt teams with his long range shooting. The six-foot senior is second on the team with 17 treys.

Haynes optimistic about getting chance to showcase talents

Shedrick Haynes believes he has finally found the place where he can get an opportunity to showcase his skills.

It's the reason the six-foot point this week signed with Tarleton State University, one of the top NCAA Division II basketball programs in the country.

The former Palmetto High standout spent 2010-2011 at USF in what he considers a lost season. But he previously proved himself at State College of Florida and Lackawanna Junior College (Pa) where he shined and wants to do it again.

The Tarleton coaches saw Haynes play in a Texas showcase after his last season at Lackawanna and offered him a scholarship, but he signed with USF. They didn’t forget and contacted him when he recently got his release from the Bulls.

“Now I am doing what is best for me and will be able to show my capabilities,” Haynes said. “The offense at Tarleton is a lot like the one we ran at Lackawanna. I expect a good season. It’s my last opportunity and I am putting in a lot more work than I did before. I am a tougher player now and learned a lot more about the game and about work ethic.”

The 6-1, 180 pounder turned 23 last March. He is the only person from Manatee County to play basketball at USF. Haynes said he had offers from Valdosta State and a couple of Division I schools such as Towson and Alabama State, but felt Tarleton had the perfect situation for him.

Tarleton plays in the Lone Star State Conference. The Texans finished 24-6 last season and were ranked 17^th in the final Division II coaches poll.

Haynes hopes to replace point guard Corin Henry, who led the Texans in scoring (14.2 ppg). They finished the season ranked in NCAA Division II no. 1 in scoring defense (53.3 ppg)

Haynes had an outstanding sophomore season at Lackawanna where he led his team in scoring (19.1 ppg) and was on one of the top 3-point JUCO shooters in the country draining 98 treys and connecting on 42 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc.