The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

March 15, 2009

Summers County becomes first 28-0 state champion

By Dan Stillwell

Saturday’s coronation went as planned.

The dynasty is under way.

Summers County captured its third consecutive Class AA high school girls basketball state championship crown, beating Lincoln 89-59 for its unheard-of 28th victory without a loss.

“I’ve coached a long time and this is a dream come true,” coach Wayne Ryan said. “I never planned on being part of a team that went 28-0.”

No one can claim that accolade. Not Woodrow Wilson, with all its boys state championships, or the old Northfork High School with its eight straight titles, or even basketball-rich Mullens and Oak Hill, can boast a perfect 28-0 mark.

Capital’s girls were the last undefeated team, going 25-0 in 2002 to win the Class AAA championship.

The all-time best record, before this year, was 27-0 by Morgantown’s girls in 1992, Paden City’s boys in 1987, Kermit’s boys in 1964 and Barrackville’s boys in 1961.

Burch’s boys had a shot, but were 27-1 in 1957.

Summers finished last season 26-2, matching its mark from a year earlier. The Bobcats were 23-5 in the 2000 championship season.

Going back to last season, Summers has now won 40 consecutive games. The Bobcats’ last loss was 61-44 to eventual Class AAA state champion Parkersburg South in the Coal Classic in late January 2008.

What’s amazing is that Summers has been tested just twice this season. A home game with Princeton went into overtime before Summers pulled out a 96-92 victory at Hinton Jan. 17.

Woodrow Wilson gave the Bobcats their best scare, dropping a 71-69 decision in Beckley.

“We were clearly the best Class AA team in West Virginia,” Ryan said. “Twenty-two points was the closest an AA team came to us.

“Give our kids credit for that. Playing seven or eight AAA teams helped prepare us for that.”

He takes pride that other teams paint a bull’s-eye on the Bobcats.

“We know everybody on our schedule would really enjoy beating us,” he said. “We know how they would react, and we work every day with that in mind.”

Some states pit their champions against each other for an overall champion. What if Summers were to take on Class AAA North Marion?

Lincoln coach David Wray was asked that in the post-game interview.

“I think they would match up real good with them,” he said. “I know North Marion is loaded with speed, but Summers may have the advantage in height. They were taller than us at all five positions.”

Ryan told the sports writers to bring on the Huskies.

“I know how good they are, but we’re pretty good too,” he said.

“If you set it up, we’ll show up.”

Too bad the SSAC would frown on such a match.

Seniors Emily Blevins, Lauren Estes and Kim Cox will leave the Bobcats with 102 victories and three championships under their respective belts. That’s impressive.

They’ll move on to college, but if they’re like their predecessors, they won’t go too far, at least at tournament time.

Former Summers standouts Sierra Brown, Joanna Mills, Sarah Blevins, Sara Gunnoe, Jenni Wynes, Bekah Newsome and Jolysa Brown sat right behind the bench, cheering the team on. Many of them continue to help out with the Bobcats’ annual summer camp.

Earlier I used the “D” word — dynasty.

You won’t hear Ryan or his staff say it, but there was little doubt among sports writers and coaches in attendance that Summers isn’t finished with championships.

Point guard Ashley Brown, who has run the show the past three seasons, is a junior. Twins Hallie and Hanna Gunnoe show unlimited potential at guard and center, respectively. Three-point specialist Leslie Mack has two more seasons to fire away. Freshman Candace Brown can play all five positions and the sky is her limit.

If they stay focused, I wouldn’t bet against them next year.

And the year after that.

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