Beavers prepare for another deep playoff run...

[Bluefield_Rules 46]

http://www.bdtonline.com/articles/2004/12/09/sports/02blf.txt

 

Bluefield prepares for another run to state hoops tournament

Posted: Wednesday, Dec 08, 2004 - 08:30:57 pm EST

By JIM NELSON

Bluefield Daily Telegraph

 

BLUEFIELD - Normally, when last season's starting five has graduated, a basketball coach will be entrenched in the "coach-speak" of "rebuilding." Not so with Bluefield High basketball coach Ernie Gilliard.

 

Although he doesn't have a starter returning from the 2003-04 team that reached the AA semifinals, Gilliard is optimistic about this year's club as it prepares for a season-starting assignment against defending state champ Winfield in Charleston's Hoops Classic, Dec.15.

 

"We probably lost around 90 percent of our offense from last year," Gilliard said. "However," he quickly added, "we played eight to ten players every game, so there are several players returning this season with considerable game experience."

 

Addition-ally, Bluefield should be a more physical club this season. "We added a strength and conditioning program in the off-season," the BHS coach explained. "We've had several players with us since the start of practice (Nov. 15), and we've just welcomed several more who played on the state championship football team."

 

With the start of the season less than a week away, Gilliard sees a starting five emerging. "Tremane Matthews (6-4, jr.) gave us some outstanding post play in the scrimmage against Riverside," the coach stated. "Dexter Moore (6-1 1/2, so.) had a very good freshman year, and he figures to start at the shooting guard spot."

 

Jonathan Repass, a 6-1 senior who led Princeton in scoring a year ago, has transferred to Bluefield and has the inside track on the starting small forward position. "Jonathan is a great athlete who can create his shot off the dribble. He's a valuable addition," Gilliard observed.

 

Rusty Coeburn, who quarterbacked Bluefield to the AA football title earlier this month, will probably be the strong forward.

 

The 6-3 senior combines with Matthews to give Bluefield an in-the-paint presence.

 

"At this time, we're looking to see who emerges as our point guard," Gilliard said. "It could be David Perdue (5-8, sr.), J.T. Powell (5-10, so.) or someone else. It's important to note that, while this will probably be our first five, we're depending on several players off the bench to sustain our energy and permit us to play uptempo ball."

 

With a stiff schedule that includes Winfield, the talent-rich Bank One tourney in Logan (December 21-22), and the Pepsi Christmas Tournament (Dec. 28-29), Bluefield hopes to end its season next March on the same Charleston Civic Center court where its season begins on Dec. 15.

 

"We'll have to play effective, pressure defense that forces tempo and creates turnovers. That will help us get into a transition, fast break game. If we do that, we'll be fine," Gilliard said.