03-15-2012, 11:11 AM
Prep Basketball: Danville's Tryston Ford leads boys All-Area team
By: Hal Morris
When Andrew Zaheri took over as Danvilleâs basketball coach last September, he wasnât sure what he had to work with.
But once the season started, he knew he a gem in Tryston Ford. The rest of the area coaches knew what Zaheri had as well, because the Danville senior guard is the The Advocate-Messenger Area Boys Basketball Player of the Year after leading the balloting of area coaches for the Advocateâs All-Area Team.
Zaheri said Ford is well deserving of the honor after the way he led his inexperienced squad.
âTryston had a tough year. I know a kid with his ability, he was hoping for a few more wins to go out on. But he deserves everything that comes his way,â Zaheri said. âIâm lucky to have coached a kid like Tryston. You donât get too many Tryston Fords. I wish I had him a couple of more years. A player like that, you canât put into words (what he means).â
Ford averaged 18 points and 3.0 assists per game for the Admirals, who won the 12th Region All âAâ Classic title and advanced to the statewide All âAâ Classic quarterfinals.
âHe was really the only player we had back that played significant minutes last year, so he was put in a lot of situations to be a leader, and he was expected to do so much for us,â Zaheri said.
Ford is a repeat selection on this yearâs All-Area team, along with Michael Arnett and Micah Satterly of Boyle County and Luke Hill of Lincoln County. There are six newcomers on this yearâs team.
Boyle led area teams with three selections, while Lincoln and Danville had two apiece. Three coaches shared the honors as the Advocateâs Area Boys Co-Coaches of the Year â Zaheri, Don Irvine of Burgin and Jeff Jackson of Lincoln County.
Hereâs a closer look at this yearâs team:
First Team
Tryston Ford
Ford was a second-team pick last year, and Zaheri said he could not have done more for the Admirals this season.
âEspecially on offense, Tryston did so many things for us besides put the ball in the basket,â Zaheri said. âItâs not every year you get to coach a kid who when they play an opponent, the team has to come up with a defense to slow him down. I was pleased with our team turnovers per game, and Tryston had the ball in his hands most of the time, and he still led the team in scoring.
âWhen you have a kid like Tryston, you always have a chance for the outcome you are hoping for.â
Trenton Edgington
The Lincoln senior was an honorable mention all-area pick last season, and has been the picture of steadiness. He averaged 12 points, 4 assists and three rebounds per game and shot 42 percent from the floor while leading a young Lincoln squad.
âTrenton is a three-year starter, good ball-handler and possibly the best pure passer to come through Lincoln County since I have been here,â Jackson said. âAnd heâs an excellent student.â
Luke Hill
A second-team pick last year, Hill solidified the middle for Lincoln. Heâs smaller than most centers he went against, but the 6-3 junior averaged 14 points and 7 rebounds per game, handed out 2 assists per game and tied for the areaâs best shooter at 64 percent from the floor.
âLuke is a two-year starter and really does a good job inside, plays bigger than his size,â Jackson said. âHe had a great attitude and personality. Heâs an excellent student, and fun to be around.â
Micah Satterly
Satterly repeats as a first-team performer after leading regional runner-up Boyle in scoring at 14 points per game and assists with 84. He also averaged 3 rebounds per game and shot 68 percent from the free-throw line. He also had the responsibility of getting the Rebels into their offense.
âHe is the guy that makes us go. We play how Micah plays,â Boyle coach Steve Adams said. âHe has done an excellent job leading our team the last half of the season. I thought he played his best floor game of the year in the (45th) District finals.â
Alex Beckerson
The Burgin junior led the area in scoring at 20.4 points per game and in rebounds at 9.6 per game. He also tied Lincolnâs Hill at 64 percent from the field, taking 411 shots.
âAlex's rate of improvement skyrocketed this season. He started playing within his strengths and made us able to build our offense around him because of that fact,â Irvine said. âI think that Alex will continue to improve and have a tremendous season as a senior next year. He gave us a very good effort every night, and his drive to win is one of his great strengths.â
Second Team
Austin Sebastian
The Garrard County sophomore guard averaged 15.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game and shot 46 percent from 3-point range and 69 percent from the foul line.
âAustin is one of the hardest working kids I have seen in high school basketball. I believe he has made major strides this season in showing his capabilities as a next level athlete,â Garrard coach Brandon Cooper said. âThis season, Austin had to fight through some shooting slumps, which all athletes do, but instead of letting it bring him down he found other ways to lead his team such as rebounding, handling the basketball, and finding ways to get to the rim.â
Michael Arnett
A second-team selection last season, the 6-4 Arnett became a force inside for Boyle, averaging 12 points and 10 rebounds per game, shooting 49 percent from the field and was second on the team at 76 percent from the foul line.
âMichael is âMr. Double-Double.â Every time we look at the stat sheet after the game he has a double-double,â Adams said. âMichael is an excellent rebounder and scorer. Michael had to play well for us to be successful.â
Russell Sims
Mercer County put an entirely new team in the floor this year, and Sims emerged as the best of the new crop. The sophomore guard led the Titans in scoring (11.5 points per game) and rebounds (5.8 per game) and shot 73 percent from the free-throw line.
âRussell is one of the most athletic kids in the school. He could pick up any sport and be success,â Mercer coach Brian Britt said. âRussell was also second in assists. He lead the team in free throw attempts (124 for 169) because he is a slasher but is a decent shooter as well. The sky is the limit for this young man if he wishes to pursue this sport after high school.â
Kyle Rice
The Boyle senior emerged as one of the teamâs most consistent players, especially during the Rebelsâ late-season surge.
âKyle is our silent leader. We have really started playing well when Kyle started being aggressive on the offensive end of the floor,â Adams said. âWe ask an awful lot of Kyle: He guards the oppositions best offensive player, helps handle the ball, and scores.â
Rice was second on the team in scoring (12 points per game), rebounds (5 per game) and assists (60).
He also shot 43 percent from the floor and a team-best 77 percent from the foul line.
Devonta Alcorn
The Danville junior provided a toughness and inside presence for the Admirals after averaging 8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.
âWhen you look at our game book and look at when we started getting a few wins, it was when Devonta started playing center for us,â Zaheri said. âWhen he came out after football season, I wasnât sure what I expected of him. But he definitely got better as the season went on. When Devonta came into the game with the right mindset, we were a much better club. And Iâm expecting a big year out of him next year.â
The Advocate-Messenger 2011-12 All-Area Boys Basketball Team
First Team
Name, School Hgt. Yr. Pos. Pts. Rebs.
Tryston Ford, Danville 5-9 Sr. G 18.0 a-2.9
Trenton Edgington, Lincoln County 5-8 Sr. G 12.0 a-4.0
Luke Hill, Lincoln County 6-3 Jr. C 14.0 7.0
Micah Satterly, Boyle County 5-8 Sr. G 14.0 a-3.2
Alex Beckerson, Burgin 6-5 Jr. F 20.4 9.6
Second Team
Name, School Hgt. Yr. Pos. Pts. Rebs.
Austin Sebastian, Garrard County 6-3 So. G 15.8 6.5
Michael Arnett, Boyle County 6-4 Sr. C 12.0 10.0
Russell Sims, Mercer County 6-1 So. G 11.5 5.8
Kyle Rice, Boyle County 6-2 Sr. F 12.0 5.0
Devonta Alcorn, Danville 6-2 Jr. F 8.0 8.7
a-assists
Co-Coaches of the Year
Don Irvine, Burgin; Jeff Jackson, Lincoln County; Andrew Zaheri, Danville
Honorable Mention
Rob Caudill, Danville; Luke Carman, Casey County; Jordan Duncan, Mercer County; Markell Hayes, Garrard County; John Ingram, Mercer County; Clayton Ray, Garrard County; Micah Ward, Lincoln County.
http://www.centralkynews.com/amnews/spor...full.story
By: Hal Morris
When Andrew Zaheri took over as Danvilleâs basketball coach last September, he wasnât sure what he had to work with.
But once the season started, he knew he a gem in Tryston Ford. The rest of the area coaches knew what Zaheri had as well, because the Danville senior guard is the The Advocate-Messenger Area Boys Basketball Player of the Year after leading the balloting of area coaches for the Advocateâs All-Area Team.
Zaheri said Ford is well deserving of the honor after the way he led his inexperienced squad.
âTryston had a tough year. I know a kid with his ability, he was hoping for a few more wins to go out on. But he deserves everything that comes his way,â Zaheri said. âIâm lucky to have coached a kid like Tryston. You donât get too many Tryston Fords. I wish I had him a couple of more years. A player like that, you canât put into words (what he means).â
Ford averaged 18 points and 3.0 assists per game for the Admirals, who won the 12th Region All âAâ Classic title and advanced to the statewide All âAâ Classic quarterfinals.
âHe was really the only player we had back that played significant minutes last year, so he was put in a lot of situations to be a leader, and he was expected to do so much for us,â Zaheri said.
Ford is a repeat selection on this yearâs All-Area team, along with Michael Arnett and Micah Satterly of Boyle County and Luke Hill of Lincoln County. There are six newcomers on this yearâs team.
Boyle led area teams with three selections, while Lincoln and Danville had two apiece. Three coaches shared the honors as the Advocateâs Area Boys Co-Coaches of the Year â Zaheri, Don Irvine of Burgin and Jeff Jackson of Lincoln County.
Hereâs a closer look at this yearâs team:
First Team
Tryston Ford
Ford was a second-team pick last year, and Zaheri said he could not have done more for the Admirals this season.
âEspecially on offense, Tryston did so many things for us besides put the ball in the basket,â Zaheri said. âItâs not every year you get to coach a kid who when they play an opponent, the team has to come up with a defense to slow him down. I was pleased with our team turnovers per game, and Tryston had the ball in his hands most of the time, and he still led the team in scoring.
âWhen you have a kid like Tryston, you always have a chance for the outcome you are hoping for.â
Trenton Edgington
The Lincoln senior was an honorable mention all-area pick last season, and has been the picture of steadiness. He averaged 12 points, 4 assists and three rebounds per game and shot 42 percent from the floor while leading a young Lincoln squad.
âTrenton is a three-year starter, good ball-handler and possibly the best pure passer to come through Lincoln County since I have been here,â Jackson said. âAnd heâs an excellent student.â
Luke Hill
A second-team pick last year, Hill solidified the middle for Lincoln. Heâs smaller than most centers he went against, but the 6-3 junior averaged 14 points and 7 rebounds per game, handed out 2 assists per game and tied for the areaâs best shooter at 64 percent from the floor.
âLuke is a two-year starter and really does a good job inside, plays bigger than his size,â Jackson said. âHe had a great attitude and personality. Heâs an excellent student, and fun to be around.â
Micah Satterly
Satterly repeats as a first-team performer after leading regional runner-up Boyle in scoring at 14 points per game and assists with 84. He also averaged 3 rebounds per game and shot 68 percent from the free-throw line. He also had the responsibility of getting the Rebels into their offense.
âHe is the guy that makes us go. We play how Micah plays,â Boyle coach Steve Adams said. âHe has done an excellent job leading our team the last half of the season. I thought he played his best floor game of the year in the (45th) District finals.â
Alex Beckerson
The Burgin junior led the area in scoring at 20.4 points per game and in rebounds at 9.6 per game. He also tied Lincolnâs Hill at 64 percent from the field, taking 411 shots.
âAlex's rate of improvement skyrocketed this season. He started playing within his strengths and made us able to build our offense around him because of that fact,â Irvine said. âI think that Alex will continue to improve and have a tremendous season as a senior next year. He gave us a very good effort every night, and his drive to win is one of his great strengths.â
Second Team
Austin Sebastian
The Garrard County sophomore guard averaged 15.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game and shot 46 percent from 3-point range and 69 percent from the foul line.
âAustin is one of the hardest working kids I have seen in high school basketball. I believe he has made major strides this season in showing his capabilities as a next level athlete,â Garrard coach Brandon Cooper said. âThis season, Austin had to fight through some shooting slumps, which all athletes do, but instead of letting it bring him down he found other ways to lead his team such as rebounding, handling the basketball, and finding ways to get to the rim.â
Michael Arnett
A second-team selection last season, the 6-4 Arnett became a force inside for Boyle, averaging 12 points and 10 rebounds per game, shooting 49 percent from the field and was second on the team at 76 percent from the foul line.
âMichael is âMr. Double-Double.â Every time we look at the stat sheet after the game he has a double-double,â Adams said. âMichael is an excellent rebounder and scorer. Michael had to play well for us to be successful.â
Russell Sims
Mercer County put an entirely new team in the floor this year, and Sims emerged as the best of the new crop. The sophomore guard led the Titans in scoring (11.5 points per game) and rebounds (5.8 per game) and shot 73 percent from the free-throw line.
âRussell is one of the most athletic kids in the school. He could pick up any sport and be success,â Mercer coach Brian Britt said. âRussell was also second in assists. He lead the team in free throw attempts (124 for 169) because he is a slasher but is a decent shooter as well. The sky is the limit for this young man if he wishes to pursue this sport after high school.â
Kyle Rice
The Boyle senior emerged as one of the teamâs most consistent players, especially during the Rebelsâ late-season surge.
âKyle is our silent leader. We have really started playing well when Kyle started being aggressive on the offensive end of the floor,â Adams said. âWe ask an awful lot of Kyle: He guards the oppositions best offensive player, helps handle the ball, and scores.â
Rice was second on the team in scoring (12 points per game), rebounds (5 per game) and assists (60).
He also shot 43 percent from the floor and a team-best 77 percent from the foul line.
Devonta Alcorn
The Danville junior provided a toughness and inside presence for the Admirals after averaging 8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.
âWhen you look at our game book and look at when we started getting a few wins, it was when Devonta started playing center for us,â Zaheri said. âWhen he came out after football season, I wasnât sure what I expected of him. But he definitely got better as the season went on. When Devonta came into the game with the right mindset, we were a much better club. And Iâm expecting a big year out of him next year.â
The Advocate-Messenger 2011-12 All-Area Boys Basketball Team
First Team
Name, School Hgt. Yr. Pos. Pts. Rebs.
Tryston Ford, Danville 5-9 Sr. G 18.0 a-2.9
Trenton Edgington, Lincoln County 5-8 Sr. G 12.0 a-4.0
Luke Hill, Lincoln County 6-3 Jr. C 14.0 7.0
Micah Satterly, Boyle County 5-8 Sr. G 14.0 a-3.2
Alex Beckerson, Burgin 6-5 Jr. F 20.4 9.6
Second Team
Name, School Hgt. Yr. Pos. Pts. Rebs.
Austin Sebastian, Garrard County 6-3 So. G 15.8 6.5
Michael Arnett, Boyle County 6-4 Sr. C 12.0 10.0
Russell Sims, Mercer County 6-1 So. G 11.5 5.8
Kyle Rice, Boyle County 6-2 Sr. F 12.0 5.0
Devonta Alcorn, Danville 6-2 Jr. F 8.0 8.7
a-assists
Co-Coaches of the Year
Don Irvine, Burgin; Jeff Jackson, Lincoln County; Andrew Zaheri, Danville
Honorable Mention
Rob Caudill, Danville; Luke Carman, Casey County; Jordan Duncan, Mercer County; Markell Hayes, Garrard County; John Ingram, Mercer County; Clayton Ray, Garrard County; Micah Ward, Lincoln County.
http://www.centralkynews.com/amnews/spor...full.story