By Jim Workman
Register-Herald Sports Writer
CHARLESTON —
With his team down 11-4 after the first four and a half minutes of the game, Oak Hill’s Kalif Wright ripped off his signature headband and flipped it toward the Red Devil bench.
It was the equivalent of Clark Kent stepping into a phone booth.
From that point on, Wright became a Superman, posting game highs of 24 points and 16 rebounds to lead No. 2 Oak Hill to a convincing 61-45 victory over third seed Weir Friday morning in a Class AA state tournament semi-final.
The Red Devils advance to today’s Class AA state championship game against No. 1 Wyoming East. Tip-off is set for noon.
After discarding the headband, Wright immediately picked up a loose ball on defense and streaked downcourt to grab a rebound and score on a putback to begin the change of momentum.
“I don’t even remember doing that,” Wright, a 6-foot-6 junior forward, said of the headband fling. “I guess I was so into the game. But after that we started playing well. We just had to refocus.”
Wright had plenty of help. Sophomore Jack Flournoy tallied 14 points, six assists, five rebounds, five blocked shots and three steals. Junior Deandre Leonard scored 11 points while pulling down 15 boards and adding six assists and two steals.
“I thought our kids did exactly what we practiced,” said Oak Hill coach Fred Ferri. “We wanted to cover their big kids, and we carried out the plan well.
“Our zone press offense is really good,” Ferri said. “We played well. I don’t think too many people thought that we’d win this game. So it was a challenge for us. We know we’re good, especially when we are playing well.”
Early Brogden led the Red Riders with 11 points, nine coming in the first quarter on three 3s. Shawn Burns contributed 10 for Weir (19-4).
“We struggled against their matchup zone,” Weir coach Mike Granato admitted. “You have to give credit to Fred (Ferri) and his game plan.”
The Red Devils forced 11 turnovers, converting them into 13 points. Oak Hill also netted 16 fast break points.
The Red Riders walked away impressed by Oak Hill.
“Flournoy and Wright are as good as advertised,” said Granato. “They’re big-time players. And the team can stretch it out in you, and they can hit their shots.”
“He’s strong and can move around,” Weir senior post player Lawrence Campbell said of Wright. “He can get position on you and take advantage of it.”
Oak Hill outscored Weir 34-18 in the points in the paint category.
“Getting points in the paint has been our strength,” said Ferri. “We needed to do that so I’m happy.”
— E-mail: jworkman@register-herald.com
