mwynn05
12-13-2006, 01:13 PM
It seems like every time the Fairfield boys basketball team even sniffs adversity, it responds.
After finding out that last season’s leading scorer Alfraid Manning would be out for a couple more weeks with an injured shoulder, Billy McMillian and the No. 9-ranked Eagles dominated Class 2A Hearne, 81-54.
McMillian scored a game-high 19 points on 9-of-13 shooting, but four players scored in the double-digits, including Jarrett Manning with 17 points. Jarrett, who leads Fairfield in scoring this season, has stepped up this season to cover the loss of Alfraid.
“(Alfraid) had a strength test on his shoulder and it still wasn’t where the doctors wanted it to be,” Eagles coach Joey Worley said. “They’re going to try again in a few weeks.”
Even with Alfraid out, Fairfield has two other players out because of injury.
That’s caused Worley to rely on other players, not just his corps of seniors — Manning, McMillian and Nolan Melontree.
Players like Phillip Ireland, who had 12 rebounds Thursday, and Eric Palmer (13 points, 7 rebounds) are making big contributions to the team.
The Eagles’ platoon of viable players is making it difficult for opposing teams.
Even Hearne, which made it two rounds in the playoffs last season, couldn’t keep up with a tough Fairfield defense.
According to Worley, the Eagles played their second-best first half of basketball, holding Hearne (2-2) to 17 points. Earlier in the year, Fairfield held Athens to nine first-half points.
Even with their best player out, the Eagles (12-0) are winning. Maybe it’s because Fairfield has more than one best player.
“We have about four that could have a huge night anytime,” Worley said. “But every night somebody fills in — that’s an advantage.”
After finding out that last season’s leading scorer Alfraid Manning would be out for a couple more weeks with an injured shoulder, Billy McMillian and the No. 9-ranked Eagles dominated Class 2A Hearne, 81-54.
McMillian scored a game-high 19 points on 9-of-13 shooting, but four players scored in the double-digits, including Jarrett Manning with 17 points. Jarrett, who leads Fairfield in scoring this season, has stepped up this season to cover the loss of Alfraid.
“(Alfraid) had a strength test on his shoulder and it still wasn’t where the doctors wanted it to be,” Eagles coach Joey Worley said. “They’re going to try again in a few weeks.”
Even with Alfraid out, Fairfield has two other players out because of injury.
That’s caused Worley to rely on other players, not just his corps of seniors — Manning, McMillian and Nolan Melontree.
Players like Phillip Ireland, who had 12 rebounds Thursday, and Eric Palmer (13 points, 7 rebounds) are making big contributions to the team.
The Eagles’ platoon of viable players is making it difficult for opposing teams.
Even Hearne, which made it two rounds in the playoffs last season, couldn’t keep up with a tough Fairfield defense.
According to Worley, the Eagles played their second-best first half of basketball, holding Hearne (2-2) to 17 points. Earlier in the year, Fairfield held Athens to nine first-half points.
Even with their best player out, the Eagles (12-0) are winning. Maybe it’s because Fairfield has more than one best player.
“We have about four that could have a huge night anytime,” Worley said. “But every night somebody fills in — that’s an advantage.”