We told you last week about the long relationship between Lafayette basketball coach John Sherman and Oxford basketball’s Drew Tyler.

The two have been close for more than 30 years. The became acquainted when a young Sherman became the OHS coach in the 1980s and Tyler was one of his hardest-working players.

They won a state championship in 1987, with Sherman as coach and Tyler as player.

We have watched them both over the years and admired their character, fine examples of trusted teachers and coaches in the community.

When Sherman left for other opportunities – he has also coached at Water Valley and as an assistant at Mississippi State in addition to Oxford and Lafayette – Tyler became the head coach and he delivered the same quality he learned from his former coach and mentor.

It’s fun seeing the coach against one another these days at cross-town rivals. On Friday, the Oxford boys got the best of Lafayette, winning a close contest to move to 9-0 on the season.

No matter who wins or loses, though, it is Lafayette County and Oxford that comes up a winner every time with John Sherman and Drew Tyler. We have the finest high school basketball coaches in the country. And, that’s no exaggeration.