Beckley 2008 AAA Boys Basketball State Champions!

[Beckley_WWHS 10]

Wow, where do you begin? After all the team had been through, Coach Kidd's health problems, losing two of your top players to grades, the uniform debacle.

 

This team showed up in Charleston and played awesome basketball. First you have Michael Fortune making the one and one free throws with 10 seconds left to tie the game and then win it against Martinsburg. Then in the semifinals, what a big win over a Capital team that had already beat them by double digits twice. A team that was loaded with seniors and many thought was the favorite to win it all. Beckley came out and played the way they are capable of playing and did what they needed to do to win the game.

 

It doesn't get any better than the win over South Charleston in the state championship game. To win the state championship against South Charleston, it doesn't get any more special than that. Coach Kidd was 0-9 against South Charleston with five of those losses coming by five points or less. South Charleston had won 22 straight games coming into this game. What a great game Beckley played against South Charleston. Just like they did against Capital, they came out and played like they are capable of playing and did what they needed to do to win the game.

 

To first beat the number three seed, then beat the number two seed, and then beat the number one seed in three straight games. What a remarkable accomplishment in itself especially with a lack of depth.

 

I can't say enough about these players. Travis Parkulo was the glue to this team the entire way. Damien Tunstalle played like he is capable of playing against South Charleston and Capital. Ryan Powers does what he usually does, played great defense and made big shots. Joseph Rodriguez really did a good job against South Charleston's quickness. What about Joseph Anthony? A 9th grader that has not seen a lot of playing time comes in in the fourth quarter of a state championship game and swishes in two free throws and then gets another big basket.

 

But the two players that were the key to this run were Michael Fortune and Isiah Walton. Fortune played with purpose and confidence in the postseason. Walton was the guy that does all the little things that every team needs. Great hustle, great rebounding. These two players stepped up their games big time.

 

What a great job the coaching staff did. I'm so happy for Coach Kidd after all he has been through. He is a great man and a great coach and he is great for Beckley basketball. Steve Kidd ran this team while Ron was out and did a great job. Gene and Brian Nabors are great for these players. They are young and they can relate well with the players. They came out before each game up in Charleston and went down the bench before the game with empatic high fives to every player on the bench. They bring such energy. Those guys have been in the state tournament before and know what it takes to win it.

 

This was just an awesome job by everyone. A total team effort. I never gave up in these guys and supported them through thick and thin. Sure it was tough a lot of the season but what a way to finish it.

 

Beckley 2008 AAA Boys Basketball State Champions! It doesn't get any better than this.

[hokie07 11]

Congratulations to Woodrow! It's great to see the southern part of the state represented so well with them each year in the tournament.