[Stardust]

FAIRDALE
Coach: Gregg Longacre.

Last season: 10-19, lost to Butler 65-60 in first round of Sixth Region.

Player to watch: G Josh Payne (6-1, Jr., 12.0 ppg.). Payne suffered a separated shoulder in pre-season practice, but Longacre said Payne “is stepping up as a leader and is becoming more than just a three-point shooter. He’s athletic, handling the ball more and pretty much running the team.’’

Other top players: F Richard Deloney (6-2, So., 6 ppg., 7 rpg.); F-C Boo Crabtree (6-4, Jr., 7 ppg., 5 rpg.); F-G Cory Thomas (6-1, So.); G Davon Brown (5-10, Sr.).

Outlook: Fairdale has to replace its leading scorer of a year ago in Josh Stroud, but three starters return in Payne, Deloney and Crabtree. Longacre says the Bulldogs will be young, but much improved over last season when they started one freshman and two sophomores. “We may be a year away (from being a regional title contender), but we don’t think that way at Fairdale (which won the Sweet 16 state tournament in 1990-91-94),’’ he said.

[uknowmeky]

They looked good yesterday at Fern Creeks Tournament and Josh Payne is going to have an outstanding year kid has it all !!!!