Northside’s Prince helping Grizzlies win conference games

Northside High School’s boys basketball team has found a knack for finding ways to win, especially since 6A-West Conference play commenced. A senior who has been part of the Grizzlies’ success is in his first season with the program.

Lee Prince III, a point guard, transferred to Fort Smith Northside from crosstown rival Southside in the offseason and is doing his best to fit in with his new club.

“I would say my season has been going pretty well,” Prince said. “I would like to have scored more points in some of our previous games, but that’s just how it goes. As long as we win, how much I score doesn’t matter at the end of the day.”

Prince did have a hand in the Grizzlies’ 6A-West road win at Rogers Heritage on Jan. 22. He scored 12 points in a 61-48 victory which moved to Northside to 4-3 in the conference and 11-10 overall. Two nights earlier, against his former team in Southside, Prince scored 11 points, including making three free throws and coming up with a key steal inside the final minute to help the Grizzlies seal a 66-60 win.

Following the win against Rogers Heritage, Prince was averaging 8.5 points, 3.2 assists and 3 rebounds per game.

Northside’s first two conference wins came in dramatic fashion, rallying late to edge defending 6A runner-up Springdale, 62-61, on Jan. 3 and then beating a 6A contender in Bentonville, 73-72, on Jan. 16, which came on a put-back shot by Jayvyn Bullock off a missed free throw with time running out.

Prince has liked how the Grizzlies have been able to stay composed and find ways to pull off wins. He’s done his part as well. Prince also gives credit to his coach, Cody Wilmath, for his role to get the Grizzlies in position to prevail.

“I would say it’s us just following through what Coach has planned for us and executing what he draws up for us in the situation, and also trusting each other on the court is a big key to winning games,” Prince said. “We put in the work during practice, so just keeping that consistent mindset to work harder than our opponent is how we are able to win competitive games.”

Not only was Prince going to a new program, he also was coming off an injury-prone junior season. He was limited to three games as a junior at Southside due to a shoulder injury.

“I trained day and night as much as I could to be prepared for this season – by staying in the weight room, putting up a lot of shots and most importantly, building a stronger relationship with Christ,” Prince said.

Basketball is the only sport Prince plays at Northside. He grew up with a lifelong love of basketball, but he found a competitive avenue outside of playing in gyms or outdoor courts.

“My brother and I grew up playing each other in 2K (the NBA 2K video game series), talking smack, and it has always been my dream to take basketball as far as God will allow it to take me,” Prince said.

Prince is an A and B student, with a grade-point average of at least 3.0. He said he has yet to receive any offers to play basketball in college, but wants to get one by the time he graduates from Northside.

“I don’t have any offers or anything yet, but if the door is open then I will play at the next level,” he said. “If not, I will go to college for electrical engineering.”

Prince’s priority right now is to continue to blend in with his new team and keep getting the Grizzlies in position for a chance at the conference title and a high seed at the state tournament.

“I love how passionate and devoted our coaches are to see us succeed on and off the court,” Prince said. “For the guys, I love the bond we have outside of basketball; we are a close bunch which allows us to trust each other more on the court.”