Bluefield finished as the Class AA state runner-up in 2012. The Beavers proceeded to win back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014.
Following a championship game setback to Poca last year, the young men from Mercer County are looking for some of that same magic this year.
“We were here in 2012, 2013 and 14 and have come back each year,” Bluefield head coach Buster Large said after last year’s championship game. “We are going to go back and work harder this off season, lift weights and get back at it in November.”
The veteran coach knew his team well.
Wednesday afternoon, No. 2 seed Bluefield will open its quest for another Class AA state championship when they battle No. 7 seed Wheeling Central Catholic at 1 p.m. inside the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
While the Bluefield coach admits winning the championship this year will be a daunting task, he feels his team will be ready to make a strong run.
“We didn’t make it (to Charleston) 12 straight years by not being prepared,” Large said. “We have a great coaching staff in Tony Webster, Jody Fuller and Doug Miller. We will see what happens, but we have to win three tough games.”
The Maroon Knights (14-10) are always a dangerous team in the postseason under veteran head coach Mel Stephens who has six state championships to his credit.
Stephens’ crew is led by two solid scorers, but always bring extra weapons to the state tournament.
Junior Quinton Burlenski leads Wheeling Central scoring 19 points per game and sophomore Troy Anthony added just over 12 points per night.
Fellow juniors Jeremy Ratcliffe (8.3 ppg) and Eli Dean (7.7 ppg) are also players that will the challenge the Bluefield defense.
The Beavers compiled an 18-7 record this year, but all seven losses were to quality opponents.
Three losses came to Class AAAA foes, while two losses came to Class AAA No. 1 Shady Spring and two more at the hands of Class A No. 1 James Monroe.
Bluefield took two games each from Class AAAA schools Beckley and Oak Hill, while splitting its two games with Greenbrier East.
The Beavers also took the regular season clash with AA No. 3 seed Chapmanville.
The key to the success this season for Bluefield has been balance.
Caleb Fuller leads the team with 15 points per game, while Will Looney tosses in 14 points per night and Kam’Ron Gore scores 13.
R.J. Hairston adds 12 points per night and has proven to be unstoppable at times in the paint.
Class AA will easily the toughest task of all classes this year in Charleston will several teams looking to bring home the coveted trophy Saturday.
Williamstown (24-0) is the top seed, followed by Bluefield, Chapmanville (20-3), No. 4 Charleston Catholic (20-5), No. 5 South Harrison (23-2) and No. 6 Ravenswood (19-5).
The winner between Bluefield and Wheeling Central will match up with the winner of Chapmanville and Ravenswood Friday at 7:15 p.m.
The Class AA state championship game will be played Saturday at 5 p.m.
