Local boys basketball players, coaches make AP all-state ballot

WSLS News Staff and Associated Press
Published: April 25, 2008

Southwest Virginia is well represented on the Virginia Associated Press ballot for High School boys players and coaches of the year.

In Group A, two local coaches face-off for the top honor.

Al Copenhaver, guided George Wythe to its first state title in his 20+ years as coach, finishing with a 28-2 record. The Maroons’ only two losses came early in the regular season to Group AA Pulaski County.

Then there’s Brandon Garrett, Nelson County’s head coach.  He guided the team to the Division 1 championship with a 30-1 record.

As for the Group A players, six from our area are up for the player of the year honor.

They are:

Tennis Simon, George Wythe, 6-3, senior. 17.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.1 spg, 2.3 apg for 28-2 team won Group A, Division 2 state championship. Had 23 points, 11 rebounds in state title game win over Gate City. Shot 57.0 percent overall, 42.6 percent from 3-point range (49 of 115).

Michael St. John, Appomattox, junior. 16.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.7 apg for a team that advanced to the state tournament for the first time in school history.

Thomas Brown, Nelson County, 6-2, senior. 24 ppg, 7 rpg, 6.5 apg, 3 spg. Governors went 30-1 and won the first Group A, Division 1 state championship in school history. Region B player of year.

Roger Woodruff, Altavista, 5-9, senior. 9.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3 apg, 2.4 spg. Colonels went 20-5 with four of their five losses to Group A, Division I state champion Nelson County.

Corey Ware, James River, 6-3, senior. 17 ppg, 8 rpg. Team reached state quarterfinals and finished 23-4. He shot 52.8 percet from the field (181 for 343) and 59.1 percent from the foul line (97 of 164). Ware averaged 2.1 spg and blocked 40 shots.

Cody Griffith, Giles, 5-11, senior. 17.7 ppg, 3.8 apg. Shot 47.6 percent from the field (129 of 271) and 72.3 percent from the foul line (86 of 119). Griffith averaged 3.1 rpg and 2.6 spg per game. He scored a season-high 39 in a game against Auburn.

In Group AA, ten local players are up for player of the year.  They are:

Logan Thomas, Brookville, 6-7, junior. 17.1 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.7 bpg. Team was 20-5.

George Williams, Brookville, 6-5, senior. 15.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.9 apg. Team was 20-5.

Chris Harmon, Liberty, 6-0, junior. 17.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.2 apg, 3.1 spg.

Carlton Payne, Liberty, 6-7, junior. 13.1 ppg, 9 rpg, 3.1 bpg. Shot 57 percent.

Ben Boggs, Hidden Valley, 6-3, junior. 17.8 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 3.1 apg and 2.0 spg. Team finished 28-2 and reached state semifinals. Shot 44.9 percent from the field and 81.3 percent from the foul line (152 of 187). He hit 41 of 113 from 3-point range for 36.3 percent

Jeff Early, Rockbridge County, 6-1, senior. 23.4 ppg and 12.6 rpg. Had a season high of 42 points and scored 30 or more three other times. Had 20 double-doubles in 24 games. Early shot 48.1 percent from the field (218 for 453). Also averaged 2.0 apg and 3.2 spg.

Josh McGill, Bassett, 6-3, senior. 18.2 ppg and 8.2 rpg.

Nick English, Blacksburg, 6-4, senior. 14.5 ppg and 7.7 rpg as Blacksburg reached state semifinals. Shot 68.1 percent from the field and 76.2 percent from the foul line (80 of 105). English scored 17 in state quarterfinal win over Waynesboro and 19 in semifinal loss to Millbrook.

Jared King, Pulaski County, 6-1, senior. 12.9 ppg, 6.7 apg and 1.9 spg as Pulaski County was only team to beat Hidden Valley in the regular season. Shot 37.4 percent on 3-pointers.

Luke Hancock, Hidden Valley, 6-5, senior. 13.9 ppg and 7.1 rpg per game as Hidden Valley finished 28-2 and reached state semifinals. Shot 52.1 percent from the field and 73.5 percent from the foul line (100 of 136). Also had 3.6 apg, 2.4 spg and blocked 39 shots.

In Group AAA, only one local player is up for player of the year.  He is Jamelle Hagins, William Fleming, 6-7, junior. 11.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg while shooting 61 percent from the field for a team that finished 19-6. Averaged 15 points in three games against AAA quarterfinalist George Washington.