March 17, 2010

Devils seek top prize in Class AA

By Steve Keenan Sports Editor

In recent years, Oak Hill has become a staple of the Class AA state basketball tournament field. For the fourth straight season, the second-seeded Red Devils (18-4) will seek to add another championship trophy to the ones won in 1984 and 1989 when they begin tourney play at 1 p.m. today against No. 7 Keyser (13-10). “The experience is good,” says Oak Hill coach Fred Ferri, whose team lost to eventual champ Ravenswood in last year’s semifinals. “Last year, we started two sophomores and a freshman down there. “Another year’s experience is always a good thing. They won’t be as nervous or excited.” “I was so disappointed (after last year’s loss to Ravenswood),” said junior post Kalif Wright. “But I put it behind me. “We’ve got a new season, and we’re trying to achieve our goals. We haven’t reached our (ultimate) goal yet.” “We had (the seniors) there to help us out last year,” said sophomore post Jack Flournoy. “It was a good experience. “Hopefully we’ll be able to take it one step further.” To do that, what will be the keys? “We definitely have to limit our turnovers and have our scorers scoring,” said Flournoy. “We need to play tough defense, play physical. If we do all that, we should be able to hang in with anybody.” Senior guard Thomas Booth, another member of the starting five, recalls not playing much in last year’s tourney run. “We’re working hard in practice, and we’ve got a goal to win the state championship,” said Booth. “I saw the looks on my teammates’ faces last year when we lost, and that’s something I don’t want to go through again.” “We understand what it takes to win it,” he added. Junior guard DeAndré Leonard (team-best 27 three-point goals) feels the Red Devils have adopted the right mentality as the tournament approaches. “I like the way we’ve been playing lately,” said Leonard. “We’re coming out with more enthusiasm and ready to play. “And we’re moving the ball around more. We just have to watch our turnovers.” Junior Kyle Colon adds, “I’m hoping we can go all the way. We have to get the ball inside to Jack and Kalif and, if the teams play down on them, the guards will have to make their shots.” He’s anticipating the return to Charleston. “It’s one of the greatest feelings you can ever get.” Wright enters the tourney as the Red Devils’ leading scorer and rebounder with averages of 20.0 points and 10.6 rebounds. Flournoy is close behind with 18.6 points and 8.8 boards per contest. Leonard scores at an 11.8 clip while hauling in 7.5 rebounds and passing out 6.7 assists per night. Colon scores at a 4.6 clip and Booth at 3.6. Top reserves are Noah Smith (3.3 ppg) and Steven Garris (1.6 ppg). “They try to push the ball up the floor; most of their stuff is in transition,” Ferri said of Keyser. “We’re bigger than they are, which is kind of normal for us. “We have to get something out of Jack, Kalif and DeAndre, and we have to protect the ball and not turn it over. Down there, you’ve got to get some easy points, get points in transition.” That sits nicely with Flournoy. “I like to keep it going. I like a fast-paced game,” he said. The winner advances to a second-round meeting with either Weir or Sissonville at 9:30 a.m. Friday. The title tilt is set for noon Saturday. — E-mail: skeenan@register-herald.com