CLINTON – Until Wednesday, former Vicksburg High player D.J. (Devin) Jones had never flown on an airplane.

That changed when Jones and his Mississippi College teammates departed Clinton for Springfield, Ohio. Today, Jones and the Choctaws will begin play in the NCAA Division III Mens’ Basketball Sectional Tournament at Wittenberg University.

&#8220I’m just hoping to get on and get it out of the way,” Jones said of his impending flight to Ohio. As a senior at Vicksburg High, Jones led the Gators to the Class 5A boys state championship with an upset of Starkville in the finals. He was later named the Vicksburg Post’s 2003 Player of the Year.

After a two-year stint with Southwest Community College, Jones landed with Mississippi College. It’s been a great fit as the Choctaws won the American Southwest Conference title.

That led the Choctaws (29-1) to host the first two rounds of the NCAA Division III Tournament in Clinton. Last Friday, MC ripped Maryville, Mo. 88-58. In Saturday’s finals, the Choctaws beat Maryville, Tenn. 69-51 to earn the trp to the Sectionals at Wittenberg.

&#8220It was great to win those two at home in front of our die-hard fans,” Jones said. &#8220They’ve played a major role in our success all season.”

Now comes the sectionals, where the Choctaws face Transylvania College (26-4) today in Springfield. Host Wittenberg (27-3) takes on Hope College (28-2) in the other sectional opener. The two winners meet on Saturday for a berth to the Division III Final Four at Salem, Va. on March 17.

&#8220That’s where we want to go,” Jones said of a possible Final Four trip. &#8220But we’ve got to beat Translyvania and then, probably Wittenberg. It’s going to be tough because people don’t realize there is a tremendous amount of talent, even in Division III.”

Jones was a standout at Southwest, averaging 14 points and 8 rebounds a game for the Bears. He was named to the Mississippi Junior College All-Star game.

&#8220We had an OK team that probably could’ve played better. But, I did my part.”

Jones found himself being recruited, ironicially enough, by Delta State which is enjoying a championship season of its own at 28-1 and hosting an NCAA Division II Tournament this weekend in Cleveland.

&#8220Delta State, Valley State and Portland State out of Oregon were the ones with the basketball scholarships,” Jones said. &#8220Portland was too far. I also like the city life so that kind of ruled out Delta State and Valley.

&#8220MC did a great recruiting job and after looking at the options, MC was the best place for me. Academically and location-wise, it’s been great. And there is certain team prestige that we have here,” Jones said.

The Choctaws were able to lure other athletically talented players despite not having any athletic scholarships. Jones says the team’s depth has played a big part in its success.

&#8220We don’t have to count on one guy. We’ve got about seven people who can step up. Because we have so many athletes, Coach (Don) Lofton can find guys for certain roles.”

Jones’ role is to play defense and score when it’s available. He was named the ASC’s East Division Defensive Player of the Year.

&#8220I take pride in my defense and it’s something I’ve been noted for even when I was at Vicksburg High,” he said. &#8220My deal is to go out and defend a team’s best shooter. And the one thing I’ve seen in this league, is that there are a lot of great shooters in Division III.”

Offensively, Jones is contributing as well. He ranks third on the team in scoring at 8.9 points per game.