By Steve Keenan
Sports Editor
FAYETTEVILLE —
It won’t be a simple task, but you know the old saying: “That’s why they play the game.” No. 7 seed Fayetteville (11-7) will tangle with No. 2 Parkersburg Catholic at 1 p.m. today in the first round of the Class A boys state basketball tournament at the Charleston Civic Center. The survivor plays either Midland Trail or Tucker County at 11:15 a.m. Friday, and the championship is set for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Pirates advanced to the state boys tournament for the first time in school history in the 2001-02 campaign. Now they’re excited to be back again, although veteran Pirate coach Larry Spangler realizes his team hasn’t drawn an easy assignment this week. “It (making it to Charleston) is more exciting the second time,” said Spangler. “But hearing that we are playing Parkersburg Catholic was something I didn’t want to hear.” The Crusaders (20-3) own among their victories a 64-37 decision over regular season No. 1 Charleston Catholic on Dec. 26. The Irish came back for a 62-45 triumph over Parkersburg Catholic on Feb. 9. Senior guard Nich Carte said he recalls talking with Spangler prior to the season and expressing doubt about the Pirates’ chances of qualifying for the state event. But the outlook improved as the season wore on. “We started working really hard as a team,” said Carte. “We run through all our offense, and we work hard on defense. That’s what has helped us out the most, is playing good defense.” They’ll have to against PCHS, which posted section wins over Calhoun County (73-58) and St. Marys (50-29) and a co-region victory over Madonna (69-56). “Cole Cwynar (6-foot-1 senior wing) is probably the best single-A player in the state,” said Spangler. “And their other guard (6-foot-1 junior guard John Padden) is supposed to be pretty good. “They’ve got two 6-6 boys (senior Dylan Reifsteck and junior Nick Fisher) inside. They’re not averaging many points, but they’re 6-6, which is quite a bit of an advantage.” MichaelAngelo Hernandez, a senior guard, has plenty of postseason experience as quarterback of three straight playoff teams for the Pirates. He’s looking forward to a different challenge. “It feels nice to go play in the Civic Center,” he said. “I’m a little bit nervous. “You just try to (overlook that). The more nervous you get, the more mental mistakes you make.” Hernandez didn’t like his team’s performance in the Region 3 co-final against Meadow Bridge. “We’re playing all right now. We just had an off night against Meadow Bridge. We weren’t moving the ball real consistently. We’ve been trying to get some things right in practice.” Junior forward Corey Goodman is “pumped up” to be playing in the big event this week. “I was nervous at first, but now I’m thinking we can do it. We just need to not turn over the ball as much, take our time and play team ball. Last year, we didn’t play team ball. This year we’ve had more team play.” Goodman, the Pirates’ tallest player at 6-foot-2, says he’s not too concerned about Catholic’s height advantage. “I’m not worried. They’re not going to stop me from doing what I have to do. If everybody goes in with a positive mind, we’ll be all right.” Junior guard Dylan Young feels a difficult regular season slate will make things a little easier this week for the Pirates. “We played a pretty tough schedule, and that should help us,” he said. “We played pretty hard; it’s been a fun season.” Of Catholic, he says, “They’ve got two guards that are pretty quick and can shoot the ball, and they’ve got two 6-6 players. We have to box out to get rebounds and shut their shooters down. I’m a little nervous, but we want to get the job done.” Junior forward Brandon Doyle said his team had a “great season” because they’ve “been practicing really hard since the first day.” The Pirates played up to their potential, he says. “I’m excited to go down there and play,” he added. “We have to play really good ‘D’ and hit the boards and shoot well. “I think we can compete with anybody up there if we keep our heads cool and play our game.” Carte says he’s sure he and his teammates will be anxious as the game approaches. “I’m sure the nerves will be there. We’re playing on the biggest stage in West Virginia.” Fayetteville’s starting five will include seniors Carte (6-foot, 155) and Hernandez (5-foot-10, 175), and juniors Goodman (6-foot-2, 185), Doyle (6-foot-2, 160) and Young (5-foot-10, 145). The top reserve is senior Drew Weis (6-foot, 200). Carte averages about 21 points a game, while Goodman follows with about 12.0. “It sounds like it’s going to be a tough assignment,” Spangler said. “We’re tickled to be there, and we’re going to give it our best shot.” “It would be amazing for us to pull out a victory,” said Carte. “You never know what’s going to happen in the game of basketball. “You can’t think to yourself that you’re going to be defeated.” — E-mail: skeenan@register-herald.com