By Dan Stillwell
Register-Herald Sports Writer
CHARLESTON — Going to the state tournament still gets Fred Ferri fired up.
“It’s what you work for,” Ferri said as he prepares to lead Oak Hill into its sixth Class AA quarterfinal since 2002. “It’s fun. You play to play in big games.”
The Red Devils, 18-4 and seeded second in the tournament, take on No. 7 Keyser (13-10) at 1 p.m. today at the Charleston Civic Center.
Oak Hill advanced by defeating PikeView 49-43 last week in a Region 3 co-final, bouncing back in style from a 60-36 loss in the sectionals to top-rated Wyoming East.
“I didn’t have to do much,” Ferri said. “We had to forget about the sectional loss. Our kids were ready to play.”
Both the Red Devils and Keyser are on a roll, having won seven of their last nine games.
The Golden Tornado defeated Braxton County 45-39 last week in a Region 2 co-final. Ferri said they like to push the ball up and down the court.
So do the Red Devils.
“We need to run the floor and then get back and stop their transition,” Ferri said. “We’re used to that. (Regional foes) Bluefield, PikeView and Wyoming East all run. It shouldn’t bother us much.”
Keyser has averaged 53.3 points while allowing 47.7 in its last seven games.
Center Peyton Hartman, a 6-foot-4 junior center, will draw some attention.
“He’s a pretty good shot blocker and shooter,” Ferri said. “He shoots at the foul line a lot.”
Oak Hill has two even bigger players, 6-6 junior center Kalif Wright and 6-7 sophomore wing/post Jack Flournoy.
Wright averages 20 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Flournoy scores at a 19-point clip and also grabs nine rebounds and three assists.
Point guard DeAndre Leonard (12 points, 7 assists, 7.5 rebounds) has been a deciding factor in recent games for the Red Devils, who are averaging 60.8 points while giving up 53.2.
Leonard scored 15 points and had seven assists in the win over PikeView.
“DeAndre really turned it on in the second half,” Ferri said. “When he plays well, we’re pretty good.
“Kalif and Jack will get their stats. DeAndre is the wild card.”
Thomas Booth (5 ppg) and Kyle Colon (4 ppg) round out the starting lineup. Dustin Nuckels and Steve Garris (both 2 ppg) are the top subs.
Wyoming East (20-2) squares off with No. 8 Frankfort (13-10) in another AA quarterfinal at 5:30 p.m.
While Wyoming East and Oak Hill have been No. 1 or No. 2 most of the entire season, Ferri cautions the tournament remains wide open.
“There are several good teams,” he said. “Whoever is playing well, whoever executes, has a chance.
“Any of the eight can win.”
— E-mail: dstillwell@register-herald.com
