bluefieldRocks 14 Report Share Posted December 15, 2006 Beavers have unfinished business By BRIAN WOODSON Bluefield Daily Telegraph BLUEFIELD  There were two Class AA teams left playing at the end of last season. However, Bluefield wasn’t the team holding the trophy after the final buzzer sounded. The Beavers are back, and determined to walk out of Charleston Civic Center on top in 2007. “To be state runner-up, a lot of teams would be satisfied with that,†Bluefield head coach Ernie Gilliard said. “We’re honored that we were one of the final two teams, but at the same time, the overall feeling here  as a whole  is we’ve got some unfinished business. “We definitely want to refocus and work just as hard this year and hopefully we can end up again there next year.†Bluefield, which opens its season tonight by hosting Graham at Bluefield State’s Ned Shott Gymnasium, went 22-5 last season, falling to Ravenswood in the Class AA championship game. Tremayne Matthews, Maurice Jordan and Jonathan Payne have all departed from that team, but don’t expect the Beavers to depart for their winning ways. “We’re missing those guys, but we’ve got some kids that I think will be able to step up and fill that void,†Gilliard said. Apparently, Gilliard’s not the only one with that opinion. Expectations remain high, as evidenced by Bluefield starting the 2006-07 campaign as the top-ranked Class AA team in West Virginia. “We accept it as respect, but by no means do we want to develop a relaxed feeling or attitude about that recognition,†Gilliard said. “Actually it’s probably added some pressure on us because once you’re up there, everybody is gunning for you. “That has pretty much put a bulls-eye on our chest so we’ve got to make sure we play our “A†game every night.†Bluefield, which won consecutive state titles in 1995-96, will begin its quest for a third crown tonight in a rivalry game with Graham. The G-Men will also be making their season debut after a game earlier this week was postponed. “Always, any time Graham and Bluefield is playing, it’s an exciting affair,†Gilliard said. “You throw away all the statistics because it is going to be a war. “Those two schools, those two teams and those two communities seem to get up for each other during that game so it’s going to be a classic Bluefield-Graham battle.†Two-time All-Class AA performer Dexter Moore headlines the returnees for Bluefield. Moore will switch from shooting guard to point guard this season, replacing Jordan in that role. He’ll be joined in the lineup by 6-foot-2 junior Shaun Brooks and his 6-3 classmate Ansel Ponder. Kyle Hammond (6-3, sr.), a three-point shooting weapon, will also start tonight, along with 6-foot-3 senior Chance Cottrell. “That’s a very good group, and one of the things that has been the most pleasant about this group is their willingness to share the ball,†Gilliard said. “We seem to anticipate where each other is at the right time and we’re beginning to play toward each other’s strengths even more so that is very pleasant this early in the year.†Gilliard is also is excited about the prospects of his reserves, including junior Andrae Harris (5-10) and freshman Craig Ponder in the backcourt, along with senior Justin Harris (6-0) and sophomore swingman Turquan Casey (6-0). That group is expected to bring the same attributes that every Bluefield basketball team seems to possess. “Speed and quickness, quite naturally, that’s what we do here at Bluefield and that’s one of the things that will stand out for us,†Gilliard said. “I think the simple fact that these kids now have been involved in our system for three years helps. “I think that is one of the reason we’re showing a deeper understanding early in the year so hopefully that will carry over and provide an excellent run for us this year.†With the loss of the 6-5 Matthews, Bluefield won’t be as big, and Gilliard knows that will be an area the opposition will attempt to exploit. Ponder and Brooks are both tough and can jump. Brooks was impressive in last year’s semifinals against Weir, shutting down the much bigger Eddie Hayden. “They’re going to try and exploit our lack of overall domineering size naturally, but we’ve got some kids who are good athletes, quick leapers and pretty strong,†Gilliard said. “You can’t overlook the effort that Shaun Brooks gave us last year in the semifinals against Weir and their 6-8, 250-plus pound post man. “He did a real good job and shut him down so we’re capable, but we just don’t have domineering size. We’re definitely going to have to play a solid basketball and make real good decisions and make sure our positioning is exactly what it is supposed to be.†Moore, like the rest of the Beavers, can’t wait to take the floor. The fact that Graham is the opponent makes it an even better proposition. “We just need to come out and play, it’s going to be a good game because it is a rivalry game,†Moore said. “We’ve got to come out and play hard, and I hope we come out with a win.†Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluefieldRocks 14 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2006 Before i head out to the game and pre-game festivites. I will make a prediction on the game Bluefield- 73 Graham - 51 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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