[Stardust]

reprinted from: http://www.kentucky.com/289/story/660551.html


Burgin boys have best start in nearly 40 years
Mike Fields - Herald-Leader Staff Writer, When Burgin was suffering through a 3-23 basketball season a few years ago, I visited the tiny school in Mercer County on a cold January day and wrote about how Coach Don Irvine and his boys' team had to settle for small victories not reflected on the scoreboard.

With Burgin enjoying success this season — the Bulldogs won 11 of 13 games for their best start in almost 40 years — it seemed only fair to check in with Irvine again. "We're having fun, that's for sure," he said. "We've exceeded expectations, especially when you consider one of our best players transferred out. I just hope we can keep it going and finish strong."

Burgin's best win came at Mercer County, beating the Titans for the second year in a row and handing them the first loss in their new gym.



Mike Fields
The Bulldogs have made steady progress since that three-win season in 2004-05. Last year they ended a streak of seven consecutive losing seasons, and now they're shooting for the program's best finish since a 21-5 record in 1970.

Seniors Zack Irvine, the coach's son, Patrick Cannada and Bill Beckerson, and junior Logan Hill are averaging in double figures. Juniors Timothy Riddle and Trenton Claunch are close behind.

Does Burgin have a chance to win the All "A" Classic region? "We'll have to play our best to get out," Irvine said. "Danville is awfully good, but we are hosting it so I like to think we have a shot. We're not talented enough to have a bad performance and win."

■ Pineville is another small school with something to brag about. James David Strange (24.8 ppg) and Chelsey Smith (25.0) are among the state's top scorers.

Strange, a 6-foot senior guard, is the son of Mountain Lions Coach J.D. Strange. He's hitting 45 percent of his three-pointers, which isn't a surprise considering he's hit 211 of 518 (41 percent) for his career. Strange, who averaged 17.5 last season, has boosted his production despite being dogged by junk defenses. His dad said James David has shown "a lot of self-ambition" by working hard in the off-season, including 5:45 a.m. drills. Centre, Transylvania and Union are among the colleges showing interest.

Smith, a 5-8 sophomore, transferred from Bell County midway through last season. Pineville girls' coach Russell Thompson said Chelsey's speed enables her to "get a lot of steals and transition layups." She is also a good three-point shooter and is deadly from the foul line.

■ Bath County's boys have won 11 of 13 games, a solid follow-up to last year's dramatic turnaround. Jim Hicks' Wildcats went 20-5 last year, ending 18 straight losing seasons, and won their first district title in 31 years. Last week Bath County beat Montgomery County 83-62 behind Zak Metz's 38 points and 14 rebounds, and Taylor Maze's 23 points and eight assists. Metz is averaging 24 points and 11 rebounds. Maze is averaging 20 points and six assists. The Cats could meet No. 1 Elliott County in next week's All "A" regional.

■ The matchups are set for the Touchstone Energy All "A" Classic boys' and girls' tournaments that will be played Jan. 28-Feb. 1 at EKU's McBrayer Arena. Among the boys' favorites are Elliott County (16th Region), Shelby Valley (15th) and Hazard (14th). Two-time defending champ Lexington Christian (11th) looks to be the girls' team to beat again.

Boys' pairings: 3rd Region vs. 2nd; 5th vs. 11th; 1st vs. 6th; 4th vs. 14th; 10th vs. 13th; 7th vs. 16th; 15th vs. 8th; 12th vs. 9th.

Girls' pairings: 6th Region vs. 10th; 14th vs. 9th; 4th vs. 3rd; 13th vs. 11th; 15th vs. 2nd; 8th vs. 7th; 16th vs. 5th; 1st vs. 12th.

■ Former UK coach Joe B. Hall, a devoted fan of high school hoops, said it was "a great big honor" to have the Kentucky Prep Classic named after him. Hall was given a plaque and introduced to the crowd at the 18th annual Prep Classic at Montgomery County last Saturday. The event, created by Ira Combs, will now be known as the Joe B. Hall Prep Classic. "I'm so appreciative to be associated with anything to do with high school basketball," said Hall, who is a regular at games in Central Kentucky, and tries to see as many of the state's best teams and players as possible. He rates Holmes No. 1, but Elliott County is "unquestionably my favorite team. The way they play together and their effort remind me of some of Bobby Keith's Clay County teams, or John Bill Trivette's Pikeville teams."