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What Thomasville fans are asking for is a repeat of last year’s regional semi-final when the Bulldogs beat the Phoenix 67-57 before winning their fifth state title. While Winston-Salem Prep (30-6) returns a lot of the same players, including Reggie Johnson and Marcus Wright, Thomasville features only two players, E.J. Abrams-Ward and Donald Simms, that contributed significantly during last year’s title run. Losing six of their top eight scorers from a year ago leaves the Bulldogs’ hopes in the hands of this season’s up and comers.
“It will be a tough game,” said THS coach Woody Huneycutt. “We are in the final four of the state so we’re all good. We know each other extremely well so there won’t be any big secrets. The team that shoots the ball well, rebounds and takes care of the basketball will come out on top.”
Johnson presents a whole problem with just his presence in the post. The 6’8”, 290 pound future Miami Hurricane has had a tremendous season, averaging 25.3 points and 16.9 rebounds. THS “held” Johnson to 18 points and 18 boards a year ago, but had departed seniors Chris Woods and Trey Ray, along with Abrams-Ward, inside to battle with him. Although Abrams-Ward is 6’5” and can leap with the best around, players like C.J. Campbell, D.J. McClendon and Brad Wilkes will need to contribute on the boards and take some of the rebounding and defensive load off their star senior.
THS (21-2) cannot be content on shutting down Johnson, however, as Marcus Wright is no slouch. Wright, who is also considered a top college prospect, is also having a monster campaign, scoring 22.9 points a game while averaging 9.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists. Despite Johnson’s presence, the Phoenix like to run and Wright is a key piston to the W-S Prep engine.
“I think it will be a running game,” Huneycutt said. “He (Johnson) is not quite as fast as the others, but they still like to run. They’ve been running all year and they can pressure you. Our team is different. We’re not as big as we’ve been and we may not rebound as well as last year but we’re faster. We’re faster on the break and on defense.”
These two teams are no strangers as many players from both schools play AAU hoops together in the off-season. Don’t expect Thomasville to variate any from a theme that has led the Bulldogs this far. In a strange way, THS comes in as an underdog. Many expected W-S Prep to make it this far, but few thought the Bulldogs would return.
That’s just fine with Means.
“I’ve heard the David versus Goliath story told a lot of times,” said Means. “Every time, it ends with David beating Goliath.”
Staff Writer Eliot Duke can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 233, or at eliotduke@hotmail.com.