I was one of the many people in attendance last night for the Boyd County Roundball Classic. Let me start be saying, Pete Fraley (BC varsity girls coach) and the Boyd County School system have done this tournament up right. Everything was set up perfectly. Staff, coaches and everyone involved with the tournament couldn't have been more friendly and helpful during our visit. So I want to start by thanking Mr. Fraley for having us out, and for showing us such great hospitality.
Now to the basketball action. The night started with Pete Fraley's varsity girls taking on Huntington St. Joe. This was a very entertaining game from start to finish. Each team played hard in your face defense, and ran their offense flawlessly. I was impressed with Fraley's coaching style as he was able to get the best out of every player he put on the floor. Several times Huntington threatened to pull away, but thanks to the encouragement County's girls got from their coaches, they refused to give up. County battled to the final buzzer, but Huntington ended up winning in a hard fought, hard earned 53-47 victory.
Next up was Boyd County boys taking on Shelby Valley. This was an excellent game that was exciting to watch. It was a close game until the fourth quarter, then Boyd County took control and never looked back winning 81-70.
The final game of the night, and the one that saw the crowd grow until there was not an empty seat left in the house, was the Huntington Prep vs. Walnut Hills game. During warm ups, the blue clad crowd got to see what Andrew Wiggins was capable of. Shot after shot, and dunk after dunk, the crowd oohed and awed with anticipation. When the ball was tipped the Andrew Wiggins show began. He started off kinda slow,missing his first three of the game which drew air ball chants from what few Walnut Hills fans made the trip. After that, Wiggins did what Wiggins does. He hit inside shots, outside shots, and left his defenders standing with some of the most disgusting crossovers and spin moves I haven't seen a high school player do in a long time. A moment that brought the entire crowd to their feet was when Wiggins literally got his chin above the rim for one of the nastiest put back dunks I have seen. He ended the first half with 17 points, but he was far from done.
The second half saw more of the same, when Wiggins immediately got loose for a run out dunk that actually shook the rafters. The rest of the night Wiggins made a living getting offensive rebounds and put backs, and having two of the most vicious blocks that I have seen in high school. The game was actually closer than everyone expected with Huntington Prep winning when Andrew Wiggins hit a shot at the buzzer to set the final score of 61-54 and finished the game with a double double 32 points and 10 rebounds.
A few things that stuck out to me during the game was Wiggins' ability to rebound the ball. Everytime a shot goes up, Wiggins always seems to find a way to get a hand on the ball. Everything else Wiggins did is what we all have come to expect. The other thing that stuck out to me was the coaching style of Rob Fulford and his staff. There is never any screaming or yelling, no ridiculous dancing or stomping on the sideline. When he needs to talk to his players, he calls a timeout and tells them what he wants, and they just go out and do it. Coach Fulford has these guys playing with a purpose. Whenever there is a good defensive play made, you can see and hear the encouragement coming form the Prep bench and coaches. These kids like playing for coach Fulford and it shows in how they execute their game. In the end it was a great night that saw some great baksetball, and fans got to see a talent in high school that they more than likely won't get to see again for a very long time. Because lets face it, a player like Andrew Wiggins doesn't come around everyday.
Huntington Prep, Boyd County girls and boys and a lot more teams will all be back in action tonight in the last night of the Rounball Classic. Games start today at 12:00 noon. Do yourself a favor, go out and enjoy some great basketball
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