NHSHF 09 Preview: Like a Phoenix, Mountain State is Rising from the Ashes

Ron Bailey, Publisher

New coach has assembled new team in short order.

December 7, 2009 - Last year, The Academy at Mountain State (West Virginia) developed a national footprint, boasting several Division I caliber players and being invited to the ESPN Rise National High School Invitational, a tournament designed to crown a mythical national champion in high school hoops. Though the school didn't come away with the 'chip', participating was a great finale to a 23-7 season. Times were good in Beckley, West Virginia.

Well, things changed rather quickly, as the team's former coach bolted for different pastures, taking at least one blue chip player with him. Others graduated, or transferred to different schools.

This year's Mountain State team (Mountain State)

Enter Rodney Crawford.

"We had to work" said Crawford via telephone this evening, when asked to recount just what he faced when being hired in July. "There were the challenges of recruiting them (players) and getting them in"!

Crawford and his staff did a good job, luring a talented team, led by college signed seniors Justin Martin (6'6" small forward headed to Xavier), Jabs Newby (a lead guard standing 6'1" that will attend Eastern Kentucky next year) and 7'1" center David Nyarusk. According to Crawford, Nyarusk, who will be attending West Virginia is a shot blocking rebounder, while Martin and Newby are an "athletic, long range shooter" and athletic point guard that can defend and hit the open shot, respectively.

They are not alone, as Crawford rattled off several other top performers, including senior combo-forward, 6'8" Rimi Dibio, a guy the coach labeled "the best shooter on the team", one that has received scholarship offers from Wyoming and Duquense, while also being scouted by Wake Forest and Kentucky. Super-sophomore Anthony Bennett, a 6'7" swingman who Crawford noted is "super athletic and can do everything" is being scouted by "everyone".

How are these and other players deployed?

"Definitely we try and get after it by creating turnovers" shared Crawford of his defensive philosophy. "In the half court, we play man to man". Offensively, Mountain State attempts to "Spread the floor - four out one in", and create looks".

Why is the school, whose record is 8-1, traveling to compete in this year's National High School Hoops Festival?

"We are looking forward to getting up there" shared Crawford. "We heard some real good things about it...Just to get the opportunity to showcase what we have to offer".

That, Mountain State will do, against Oxon Hill, MD's talented National Christian Academy squad, Saturday.