Published: January 12, 2008 11:55 pm      

Falcons getting shot at Oak Hill Academy

Opportunity will knock for Mountain State University Academy.

Falcons coach Rob Fulford hopes the team can rise to the occasion.

MSU Academy gets shot at a signature win today when its travels to Mouth of Wilson, Va., to take on national power Oak Hill Academy.

“They were supposed to play a team from Florida (Westlake Prep of Davie, Fla.), but they couldn’t make it,” Fulford said. “So (Oak Hill coach/athletic director) Steve Smith called our AD, Todd Cornett, and they got it ironed out.”

In return, MSU Academy gets a home game with Oak Hill Academy next season.

Oak Hill Academy is 18-5 on the season.

The Warriors are led by Brandon Jennings, who has already signed to play at Arizona.

“We scheduled their red team (the Oak Hill Academy team made up of local players) at the end of last season,” Fulford said. “But this is the Gold team. We’re excited. Obviously, with the direction we’re going, this is the biggest game in our school’s history. It’s a big opportunity, but we aren’t going to put all of our apples in the cart with this game.”

Oak Hill Academy is ranked fourth in Virginia in the latest state poll.

The Warriors, normally a staple of the national rankings, are not currently in the Top 25.

MSU Academy is 20-2 on the season and is led by sophomore Kofi Mensa. Josh Birchfield, who recently transferred from Gilbert, has added a big presence inside.