It’s been 10 years since Bluefield hoisted the first-place trophy on the final Saturday of the season.
Head coach Buster Large and his gang hope the skid ends this year.
For the first time since 2013 the Beavers will step into the Charleston Coliseum as the No. 1 seed, which seemingly serves as an advantage in a year the Class AA field is tasked with playing three games in three days to decide a champion. Bluefield’s been prepping for that challenge all season.
“When the year first started we knew we had to play three days in Charleston,” Large said.” And whether it be in the morning, late at night or midday you got to play back-to-back-to-back. So I feel very confident that these kids are will be ready.”
Large’s confidence comes from fielding a talented squad that features first-team all-staters Kam’Ron Gore and R.J. Hairston. Both are veterans of the Coliseum and Convention Center. Hairston has played in state tournaments games all four years of his career, sporting a 3-3 record. Gore and Hairston were both key players on the 2022 runner-up team as was point guard Sencere Fields.
“There’s nothing greater than experience and we got nine out of 12 kids back off,” Large said. “Finally, we’ve had three absolutely great days of practice. And, you know, I really feel like this coaching staff is prepared and these kids are and the community is very excited and we’re ready to roll.”
Despite earning the No. 1 seed, the path to a title isn’t easy. From top to bottom Class AA has the most competitive field. Fortunately for the Beavers they’ve played six games against teams that qualified for the state tournament and two more against Graham, Va. which fell in the state semifinals in Virginia.
The Beavers are 3-3 in those in-state games with wins against Class AAA No. 2 Shady Spring, Class AAAA No. 8 Beckley and Class AA No. 2 Charleston Catholic.
“You know, we played a very, very demanding and tough schedule,” Large said. “It only prepares you for this kind of postseason competition.”
The other key for Bluefield will be its depth.
The Beavers lost sophomore wing Jase Smith to a knee injury in January, hurting their depth and eliminating a reliable 15-point-a-game scorer from the fold. But they haven’t wilted with the win against Charleston Catholic coming on a neutral court (West Virginia State) after the Beavers had already lost Smith.
It gave them an opportunity to insert new players down the stretch in preparation for the postseason.
“You know, R.J. has been a steady all year long so has Kam’Ron, Large said. “But we’ve got great bench play from Brett Samosky and Jeff King’s a late bloomer coming in. Jack hurt and Sencere Fields are great defensive players. Glen Keeene’s had some big games for us so overall, we feel like these kids are right around where we need them to be.”
Having been close two years ago before falling to Poca in the title game, Large senses a different aura around this team. The seniors know this is their last shot to win a title.
“They’re very focused,” Large said. “We just finished practice and had a great three days of preparation and you know, the community is really, really excited and this is the right atmosphere right now.
The Beavers will open their state tournament run Thursday against No. 8 Braxton County at 5:30 in the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
