News
Mayor Williams talks about Huntington and Huntington Prep
But Williams' ventures aren't limited to just trying to bring collegiate-level athletics to prominence in Huntington.
Recently, he announced a deal with Huntington Prep boys basketball to allow the Irish to use Big Sandy Superstore Arena for eight to 10 games during the 2013-14 season.
Huntington Prep has been in the national spotlight for the last two years with Andrew Wiggins, the Class of 2013's top recruit who landed at the University of Kansas.
While Wiggins has moved on, the success of Huntington Prep and coach Rob Fulford has not. The Irish -- formerly the Express -- once again have a loaded roster with six players ranked in the top 50 nationally for the classes of 2014 and 2015.
Williams, who grew up in Princeton, W.Va., just 30 miles from Fulford's hometown of Mullens, said they talked on several occasions leading up to the agreement and both share a similar vision to continue to keep Huntington in the national spotlight in interscholastic athletics.
"We talk the same language and when I see what he's doing, I'm so proud of him," Williams said of Fulford. "When he's coaching the national teams at these large tournaments and having the top coaches in the nation come to his clinics or to watch his games, that's an indication of what I keep trying to say to everyone -- you can get there from here."
Last season, Fulford and Huntington Prep played many games at Spring Valley High School, but for bigger competition the team went on the road, leading to a frenzy with Wiggins' recruitment heating up.
Fans camped out in front of venues to watch Wiggins and Huntington Prep when they came to town, leading Williams to think, 'Why not Huntington?'
"If you just think of last year with the team they had, we would've been filling the Big Sandy arena," Williams said. "Coach Fulford and I were talking and whatever we need to do to make this work, this is a good investment for us. I'm a businessman first and foremost. I love sports, but this makes good business sense for Huntington.
"What I'm really looking forward to are those TV games. We are actually having the floor redone to have the Huntington name all over it and everything. It will be in the national spotlight."
The new agreement with Huntington Prep adds a major piece to Williams' puzzle of trying to incorporate sports in Huntington at every level.
October 29 | Read More
Huntington Prep player slams alley-oop off header pass
Just because Andrew Wiggins has moved on from Huntington Prep to Kansas doesn't mean we're finished hearing about coach Rob Fulford's squad. Miles Bridges, a member of the Class of 2016, pulled off this alley-oop at the team's dunk contest, which made its way to the No. 1 spot on SportsCenter's Top 10.
Credit to guard Pau Serena for the pass off of his head, too.
October 23 | Read More
2013-2014 Meet the team
It's that time of year again. School is back in session and some new (much taller) students are roaming the halls of St. Joe.
Here is a look at the roster for Huntington Prep for the 2013-2014 season.
The lone returner is Montaque Gill-Caesar, a 6'6" rising junior who had an outstanding summer on the AAU scene. Montaque or as we know him, "Teki", averaged just under 14 points a game last season and is currently ranked top 20 in his class.
Joining Gill Caesar this season is a strong and experienced group of seniors. Point guard Josh Perkins (6'3") comes to Huntington from Colorado and just recently committed to Gonzaga. He is known as one of the top passers in the country. JaQuan Lyle, a 6-5 guard who was committed to Louisville and comes to us from Evansville, Indiana. Also in the backcourt is a pair of senior guards from Nashville, Tennessee, Coleman Spann (6’4”) and Jalen Lindsey (6’7”). Lindsey is committed to Providence.
Angel Delgado is the senior big man this season and at 6’9”, Delgado is a defensive presence and has committed to Seton Hall.
Other juniors besides Gill-Caesar are 6’10” Levi Cook, 6’9” Thomas Bryant and 6’3” Pau Serena. Cook hails from the state of West Virginia and is committed to West Virginia University. Bryant is from Rochester, N.Y. and is currently a member of Team USA and Serena is considered one of the top guards in Spain.
Miles Bridges (6’7”) and Ivan Gandia (6'1") are the only two sophomores on the team. Bridges is from Flint, Michigan and Gandia is from Puerto Rico. Gandia plays for the Puerto Rican national team.
The youngster of the group is Danny Vitiello, a 6' freshman from Dominican Republic by way of Puerto Rico.
The team is again coached by Rob Fulford and assisted by Arkell Bruce, Dave Meddings, Ryan Arrowood and Baker Neal.
First game is at home October 30th.
August 26 | Read More
Attn. College Coaches: Pre-Season Workout Schedule
All workouts/practices will be held at:
Phil Cline Center
917 9th Street Huntington, WV
First week NCAA coaches can attend.
Mon. 9/9
Workout 3:45 - 4:45 Play 5:00 - 6:30
Tues. 9/10
Skill Development 5:00 - 6:30
Wed. 9/11
Workout 3:45 - 4:45 Play 5:00 - 6:30
Thurs. 9/12
Skill Development 5:00 - 6:30
Fri. 9/13
Workout 3:45 - 4:45 Play 5:00 - 6:30
Remaining weeks schedule will be similar to week one for the pre-season. Please contact a member of the coaching staff for changes or questions.
August 26 | Read More
Montaque "Teki" Gill-Caesar making his own name
HUNTINGTON — Huntington Prep’s Montaque Gill-Caesar considers Kansas phenom Andrew Wiggins to be family.
That doesn’t mean Gill-Caesar wants to be the next Andrew Wiggins, though.
Instead, he wants to be ‘the first Teki’, which is his nickname. This summer, he’s doing a pretty good job of promoting his own brand name.
“I know the comparisons are there because we've taken the same route thus far, but in the same breath, I’m trying to make a name for myself and just be my own player,” Gill-Caesar said on Tuesday.
Gill-Caesar has emerged as a scoring leader for the Canadian-based CIA Bounce this summer. He enjoyed his best weekend yet at the Nike Peach Jam last week.
At Peach Jam, he averaged more than 25 points per game in pool play while leading CIA Bounce to a berth in the semifinals of one of the AAU circuit’s premier events.
“He understood that he was the best player on that team and he played that way,” Huntington Prep coach Rob Fulford said. “It’s the marquee event of the summer — the tournament of all tournaments — and all the big names are there. Teki realizes that it’s his turn and he’s getting more aggressive on offense. We saw a little of that this weekend.”
July 16 | Read More
Former Huntington Prep star Gorgui Dieng becomes first HPrep drafted to the NBA: Dieng drafted by the Jazz and traded to the Timberwolves
The Timberwolves acquired the No. 21 pick earlier on draft night after dealing Trey Burke, who they selected with the ninth pick, to the Utah Jazz. They also added the 14th overall pick, which they used on Shabazz Muhammad.
Dieng played three seasons at Louisville and was an integral part in the Cardinals' title run this past year. The 6'11 center anchored the nation's top defense, blocking 2.5 shots per game and altering many others with his nearly 7'4 wingspan. Dieng is a solid athlete with good mobility and a strong motor, which further helps him on defense and the boards. He averaged 9.4 rebounds on the season.
- Gorgui Dieng played at Huntington Prep during the 2009-2010 season. We are very proud that Gorgui has became the first member of the Huntington Prep program to be drafted in the NBA. Hope for more to come but we know that we will be well represented in the league by a great player and guy.
June 29 | Read More
Andrew's Thank You Letter
To the people and community of Huntington:
I just wanted to thank Huntington for your support for me and my Huntington Prep teammates and coaches these past two years. Without the community, none of what has been accomplished would have been attainable. I hope that when you hear or read my name, you are proud to say I played my high school days here in Huntington. Because I am proud to say I played here.
I like to represent my hometown of Thornhill, Ontario, and my country of Canada in a positive light and I will do the same for Huntington and for my team and coaches of Huntington Prep. It has been such a positive experience and I would advise any player to come to Huntington Prep.
One of the best things about my experience here is St. Joseph Central Catholic H.S. where we all attend. There are a lot of good people in that building from the principal to the teachers to the janitor; I will never forget all the positive influences they have been in my development as a young man. My peers at St. Joe have also been supportive of me and have always treated me as one of their own. I am not different, just a kid, and at St. Joe I could be. Thank you.
I also want to let the area know that Huntington Prep has brought so much here. I will be gone, but (head coach) Rob Fulford and his staff will always bring in great players and great individual community members. They will always bring national attention that Huntington wouldn't have if Huntington Prep didn't exist. In these days and times positive attention to an area isn't guaranteed so when you have it, embrace it. Support Huntington Prep because they bring such a positive outlook on Huntington, WV.
I would like to personally thank Coach Rob, Coach Arkell Bruce, Coach Dave Meddings, Coach Ryan Arrowood and Coach Baker Neal for everything. Words cannot explain how grateful I am to, in my opinion, the best coaching staff in America. They bring players like me and my teammates to this area to give this area something special. They are great coaches and are great community members who teach us to be great players and great community members as well. I appreciate them for bringing me to the area and to Huntington Prep. It's been a great ride. Our strength and conditioning coach, Chris Lane, is one of the best in the nation. I want him to know how much I appreciate his program.
I also want to thank all the host families and board members of Huntington Prep. They are some of the nicest people I have ever met and they have truly shown me a ton of love and support. I have been very fortunate to get to know them all. My host family (Scott, Lesley, Luke and Clayton Thomas) has been my second family over the past two years and I will love them forever. Thank you for opening up your doors so I could be part of your home. I also would like to thank all the support from Dain and Norrie Price as well as Mrs. Alicia Anderson. They work so hard for my teammates and I. Also Stephanie Arrowood and Candace Meddings for all the work they do unpaid for us. Thank you all.
I have made some lifelong friends from here such as the Johnson family. Scott, Holli, Mychelle, Mariah, Maki and my best friend Mychal will always have a place in my heart.
I am from Canada and I am going to Kansas to play college basketball. I will hopefully be drafted to a city that I enjoy. But I will always have a place for Huntington in my heart and memories. I will not forget all the sacrifices they made for me and my teammates. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sincerely,
Andrew Wiggins
Huntington Prep
May 28 | Read More
WIGGINS PICKS KANSAS: "I just followed my heart."
Andrew Wiggins, a 6-foot-7 small forward and the top player in the senior class, has signed a national letter of intent with the Kansas Jayhawks after also considering Florida State, Kentucky and North Carolina.
Wiggins, the best Canadian prospect since Steve Nash, averaged 23.6 points, 11.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists for Huntington Prep in West Virginia last season after growing up in Toronto. He was named the Naismith High School player of the year.
"I'm looking forward to getting there and just doing my thing," Wiggins said.
Kansas coach Bill Self said he was pleasantly surprised by Wiggins' announcement because "we never had an idea which way he was leading.
"Andrew did this the exact way he said he was going to," Self said in a news release. "He played his cards very close to his vest as did his mother and father. I knew we were one of four. The competition was very stiff and we were fortunate that we were able to ink him today. He's a tremendous talent and a terrific kid."
Wiggins signed the letter of intent at a private ceremony Tuesday afternoon in Huntington, W.Va.
"I just followed my heart," he said
May 23 | Read More
Carlos Arroyo and Coach Dave Meddings won in the WV/KY All-Star Game 116-86
Prep's Arroyo named MVP
Huntington Prep boys basketball player Carlos Arroyo collected a Most Valuable Player award Saturday in the Consol Energy All-Star Game at Mingo Central High School.
The 6-foot-1 senior guard from Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, tossed in 26 points to lead West Virginia in a 116-86 victory against Kentucky.
Mackenzie Martin from Chapmanville High School followed with 24 points and Luke Eddy from George Washington High School added 17 and Marqus Cunningham of Mingo Central netted 10. Austin Brewer from the Tolsia Rebels had eight rebounds.
Arroyo also had eight rebounds, seven assists and six steals.
Kentucky MVP Ray Kasonga from Pikeville High School scored 15. Brandon Taylor from Boyd County High School led the Kentucky team with 19 points while Dalton Cornette from Perry Central High School scored 15.
Kasonga also won the dunk contest. Austin Banks from Mingo Central won the 3-point shooting contest.
West Virginia's Coaches included Nick Cabell (Scott), Jason Hatfield (Tolsia), & Dave Meddings (Huntington Prep).
May 06 | Read More
Williams Otor Gabriel signs with University of New Hampshire
Williams Otor Gabriel was a member of Huntington Prep from 2009-2013 helping guide the Express to a combined record of 83-8 record during his career, becoming the player with the most wins in school history. “Gabe” has played alongside multiple Division 1 players for the impressive team in Huntington, WV. He helped the team reach a #1 ranking during his senior campaign and was named a McDonalds All-American nominee for his efforts. Averaging 2.5 PPG and 3.0 RPG, he and his peers finished with a 30-3 record in 2013 and will all play Division 1 next season.
Gabe will graduate with high honors and has a 3.53 GPA.
New Hampshire is a division 1 team in the American East conference finishing 9-22.
April 30 | Read More
ANDREW WIGGINS MAKES USA-TODAY ALL-AMERICAN TEAM: Named Player of the Year
AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE ALL-USA PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Andrew Wiggins | G-F | Huntington (W.Va.) Prep | 6-8, 205 | Undecided
Rest of the first team:
Aaron Harrison | G | Travis (Richmond, Texas) | 6-5, 215 | Kentucky
Jabari Parker | F | Simeon (Chicago) | 6-8, 240 | Duke
Julius Randle | F | Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas) | 6-9, 245 | Kentucky
Jahlil Okafor | C | Whitney Young (Chicago) | 6-10, 270 | Undecided (is a junior)
April 17 | Read More
Wiggins wows at Jordan Brand Classic
Andrew Wiggins has several fans -- including Carmelo Anthony.
"I like him," Anthony said after watching the 6-foot-7 Wiggins, the No. 1 college basketball prospect in the nation, score 19 points and grab five rebounds in the Jordan Brand Classic on Saturday night at Barclays Center.
"I saw him last summer in Vegas. He looked really good."
Many NBA talent-evaluators believe Wiggins would be the top overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft if he was allowed to skip college.
"I wish him the best," Anthony said. "Next year, if he does what he’s gotta do, he’ll be ready to take that next step."
Wiggins, known for his athleticism and scoring prowess, remains undecided on where he’ll go to school next season.
"No one I care about is telling to go anywhere, or even bringing it up," Wiggins said.
April 14 | Read More
Prep's Woodson, Kingsley, and Landry score big at Scott Brown Memorial Classic All-Star Game: Coach Ryan Arrowood was selected as head coach.
On the other side, Virginia Tech-bound Donte Clark put on a show for the Hokie fans in attendance, scoring 13 points and grabbing five rebounds, while Moses Kingsley, a Huntington Prep player who’s headed to Arkansas, had 22 points and 15 rebounds. Ahmad Fields (Utah) had 11 points, Travon Landry (Tennessee) 13 and Dominic Woodson (Baylor) scored 13.
Crossroads Chevrolet
Donte Clark 6-15 3-3 15, Travon Landry 6-16 0-0 13, Ahmad Fields 4-10 3-4 11, Q.J. Peterson 2-12 1-2 7, Moses Kingsley 7-13 7-10 22, Ryan Meadows 1-2 0-0 2, Jalen Lewis 0-2 0-0 0, Dominic Woodson 5-8 3-4 13, Dereck Weiford 3-3 0-0 9. Totals: 34-81 17-23 92.
Little General
Nathan Adrian 5-10 2-2 13, Ra’Shaud Kincaid 1-6 0-0 3, Devin Williams 11-26 2-7 24, Brandon Watkins 4-13 2-5 10, Donté Grantham 3-7 2-2 9, Chase Connor 3-5 0-0 9, Andrew Johnson 2-5 2-4 7, Hunter Moles 1-2 0-0 2, Elijah Macon 9-15 3-4 21. Totals: 38-89 13-24 98.
CC 41 44 7 — 92
LG 44 41 13 — 98
3-point goals — CC: 7 (Weiford 3, Peterson 2, Landry, Kingsley); LG: 7 (Connor 3, Adrian, Kincaid, Grantham, Johnson). Fouled out — None.
April 14 | Read More
Huntington Prep's Wiggins named national Gatorade player of the year
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Andrew Wiggins wanted to step up his game after moving from his native Canada to play basketball at a prep school in West Virginia.
No problem there.
The next step is more difficult - choosing a college to showcase his talents.
The Toronto-born Wiggins received the Gatorade Boys National Basketball Player of the Year award Wednesday, adding to the Naismith Foundation national honor he received last month.
The 6-foot-8 senior is the first Canadian to win the Gatorade award.
"It's a big honor, especially being Canadian,'' Wiggins said. "That's a great feeling to put Canada on the map.''
Wiggins, who thought it would be a normal day and dressed in his regular school clothes, learned about the award in class at St. Joseph's Central Catholic High School during a surprise visit from past winner and former Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning.
"Andrew's such a humble and polite kid,'' said Huntington Prep coach Rob Fulford. "It's very gratifying to see a young man like him win an award such as this. He's put a lot of time and effort into his game. This award is more about his character. Everyone knows he's a great basketball player - one of the best in the country at any age.''
Wiggins averaged 23.4 points and 11.2 rebounds per game this season for Huntington Prep, whose players attend St. Joseph.
March 28 | Read More
SIMPLY THE BEST: Wiggins wins player of year
HUNTINGTON -- Huntington Prep's Andrew Wiggins walked into his class at 9:45 a.m., Wednesday, expecting to learn about history.
Instead, Wiggins walked into the class at St. Joseph Central Catholic School and became a part of history.
Wiggins, the 6-foot-8, 215-pound Huntington Prep boys basketball phenom, was met in class by seven-time NBA All-Star and two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Alonzo Mourning, who presented him with the 2013 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year trophy.
"It was just one of those moments that you don't forget," Wiggins said. "I was just walking in like a normal day at school, I didn't know anything about it, was in my school clothes and then Alonzo Mourning walked through the door. I was like, 'What?'"
March 28 | Read More
ANDREW WIGGINS WINS NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Andrew Wiggins’ reaction when he was named 2012-13 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year during a surprise visit from Alonzo Mourning this morning was more fitting of the kid who grew up playing basketball in Canada than the teenager who has become famous at Huntington (W.Va.) Prep.
In the middle of a yawn during class, Wiggins nearly leapt from his chair.
“Zo walked in and, yeah, I stopped yawning,” said Wiggins, who moved to the U.S. after his freshman year. “I really owe thanks to my teammates and coaches and this whole community that’s made me feel so welcome over the past two years. This is big for Canada and it’s big for me. This award definitely stands out.”
MORE: Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year
The Gatorade Player of the Year award recognizes outstanding athletic excellence as well as high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court. Wiggins is now a finalist for the Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year award.
Wiggins, who checks in at 6-foot-8, 215 pounds, averaged 23.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 2.5 assists per game this season, leading the Express to a 30-3 record and a No. 7 spot in the USA TODAY Super 25 national rankings. He is rated the nation’s No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2013 by ESPN, Scout.com and Rivals.com.
March 28 | Read More
ANDREW WIGGINS WINS WEST VIRGINIA STATE PLAYER OF THE YEAR by Gatorade
CHICAGO (March 21, 2013) — In its 28th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with USA TODAY High School Sports, today announced Andrew Wiggins of Huntington Prep. as its 2012-13 Gatorade West Virginia Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Wiggins is the second Gatorade West Virginia Boys Basketball Player of the Year to be chosen from Huntington Prep.
The 6-foot-8, 215-pound senior forward averaged 23.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 2.5 assists per game this past season, leading the Express to a 30-3 record and a No. 7 spot in the USA Today Super 25 national rankings. The state’s returning Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year, Wiggins won the Naismith Boys High School Player of the Year award and was a finalist for the national Morgan Wootten Player of the Year award. He has been selected to play in the Jordan Brand Classic and the McDonald’s All-American games and is rated the nation’s No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2013 by ESPN, Scout.com and Rivals.com.
Wiggins has maintained a B average while completing his high school curriculum at St. Joseph’s Central Catholic High School. In addition to participating in multiple charity fundraiser initiatives, he has volunteered locally by visiting patients at the Cabell Huntington Hospital for children. He has also donated his time to free basketball clinics for low-income Huntington youth and the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation.
March 21 | Read More
HEAD COACH ROB FULFORD TO COACH IN THE JORDAN CLASSIC
HUNTINGTON -- When Huntington Prep boys basketball coach Rob Fulford was getting ready to become a father for the first time, there was only one name he could think of for his son.
"Jordan," Fulford said. "I actually wanted it to be Jordan Michael, but I didn't get that far."
The name is derived from Michael Jordan, whom Fulford considers the greatest basketball player of all time.
Now, Fulford will get to meet one of his idols while participating in one of the nation's premier high school basketball games.
Fulford, the Mullens, W.Va., native, will serve as head coach of the East team in the Jordan Brand Classic on April 13 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
"It's an honor to be selected to coach in the game," Fulford said. "Obviously, I'm a huge Jordan fan. My son is named after him and I've watched him for years on the court. That means a lot to me, and I get to coach Andrew (Wiggins) one last time, which is special."
March 15 | Read More
ANDREW WIGGINS WINS NAISMITH AWARD: Also headed to McDonalds and Jordan games.
HUNTINGTON — It’s been quite a few days for Huntington Prep’s Andrew Wiggins.
On Saturday, Wiggins enjoyed a milestone by celebrating his 18th birthday.
Monday brought about another milestone — only this time, it was on the basketball court.
Wiggins was named Monday as the 2013 Naismith High School Boys Player of the Year, the highest honor given to high school level basketball players.
“He’s worked very hard in his life to get to this stage and I’m proud of the fact that the awards are starting to catch up to him,” Huntington Prep coach Rob Fulford said.
The award solidifies what has been talked about for the last two years — Wiggins is the best in his classification at the high school level.
February 27 | Read More
Andrew Wiggins selected to the Jordan Brand Classic
HUNTINGTON -- Perhaps it's only fitting that the No. 1 college prospect in the country was the No. 1 selection overall for the Jordan Brand Classic Game, which features the nation's top high school boys basketball talent.
That didn't keep Huntington Prep playeer Andrew Wiggins from being excited about getting the opportunity, however.
Just days after he scored 57 points on 24-of-28 shooting in a game against the Marietta College junior varsity, Wiggins was chosen as the top pick overall for the April 13 Jordan Brand Classic, which will be played at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
"It's just a blessing to be a part of something so special with all the best basketball players from the United States," Wiggins said. "That'll get me fired up and motivate me to play better."
February 13 | Read More
Tri-State Hoops Classic Continues Today
Friday's opening night of the Tri-State Classic was successful especially for local teams. Huntington St. Joe, Ironton, and Huntington Prep all recorded victories.
HUNTINGTON PREP 20 13 23 12 -- 68: Wiggins 21, Kingsley 11, Gill-Caesar 3, Landry 2, Provo 2, Rathan-Mayes 8, Woodson 6, Strake 6, Arroyo 5, Gabriel 4 OLDSMAR CHRISTIAN 7 2 8 4 -- 21: Spencer 4, Bianchi 5, Horn 2, Holston 4, Blyden 4, Nunn 2
IRONTON 10 16 16 10 -- 37: Stephens 2, White 13, Fletcher 22, Cox 3, Carter 14 FLORA MACDONALD 10 11 6 10 -- 52: Day 5, Davis 2, Johnson 2, Scott 17, Anthony 7, Lewis 4
HUNTINGTON ST. JOE 12 15 21 20 -- 68: Dempsey 13, Mychal Johnson 17, Anderson 3, Mychelle Johnson 5, Lee 21, Peitte 9 SCOTT COUNTY 8 15 9 14 -- 46: Ray 7, Szorenyi 6, Guyn 20, DeFoor 10, Guy 3
Today's Games
1:30 Chesapeake (Ohio) vs.June Buchanan (Kentucky)
Chesapeake made a trip to Huntington last week for the SJI and now return for the TSC, this time playing June Buchanan of Kentucky. The Panthers are led by standout guard Javon Thompson who looks to prove himself on the big stage today. The Crusadors (11-9) from Pippa Passes, Ky. are led by a strong guard tandem of Lazares Terry and Juwan Lynch.
3:00 Bluefield (WV) vs. Huntington St. Joseph (WV) - Girls
The four time defending champions proved why last night and look to extend their in state win streak against the Lady of Beavers of Bluefield. Bluefield (10-7) is led by senior forward Sheila "CoKo" Hopkins averaging just under the 20-point clip a game. St. Joe is led by a Notre Dame signee in Mychal Johnson but she's not alone. Shooters Griffin Dempsey and Rachel Lee as well as post Asia Petitte and spark plug Mychelle Johnson make St. Joe a problem for anyone.
4:45 Oldsmar Christian (Florida) vs. Miami Valley (Ohio)
Oldsmar will be playing game two of their trip to the tri-state and this time tangle with Miami Valley of Ohio. Both teams will be fun to watch and a treat for local fans with plenty of division 1 talent running up and down the court.
6:30 Huntington Prep (WV) vs. Flora MacDonald (North Carolina)
Huntington Prep is coming off a blowout victory of a very good Oldsmar team. Flora MacDonald also played last night running into a very talented and disciplined Ironton team.
8:15 Tolsia (WV) vs. Huntington (WV)
The most anticipated match-up of the tournament is two local teams having similar seasons. The Rebels (10-6) made the state final four last season and look to show off against the much bigger school. They are led by a group of seniors which includes 6-6 Austin Brewer. The Huntington Highlanders (11-4) are having a solid season on a strong nucleus of players led by 6-5 Arivk Nicks. Both these teams have the ability to show why the Tri-State has good basketball and showcase their talents at the Tri-State Hoops Classic.
February 02 | Read More
Tri-State Hoops Classic 2013 @ Spring Valley High School
On Friday, the action starts at Spring Valley High School. Here is the games and players to see tomorrow as part of the 2013 Tri-State Hoops Classic.
FRIDAY
6:00 Scott County (Kentucky) vs. Huntington St. Joseph (West Virginia)
The four time defending state champions, St. Joe Lady Irish (14-1) will tangle with Kentucky's perrenial power, the Lady Cards from Scott County (14-8). This game features Mychal Johnson who has committed to Notre Dame and is the 21st ranked player in the country. St. Joe also sports future division one hopefuls, Mychelle Johnson, Asia Petitte, and Griffin Dempsey. Scott County also brings in 6-0 Tryka Guyn.
7:30 Ironton (Ohio) vs. Flora MacDonald (North Carolina)
Ironton (13-2) comes in as one of the most exciting local teams in the classic led by Zac Carter and Trey Fletcher. The Tigers stepped up to play a national level team in Flora MacDonad (11-8) led by 6-8 F Jared Scott. Look for a good game between two well respected programs.
9:00 Huntington Prep (West Virginia) vs. Oldsmar Christian (Florida)
Oldsmar Christian (10-6) comes to Huntington sporting a roster full of division one players and have an up and coming program and a powerful schedule. Suiting up for the Eagles is Tony Nunn (North Texas), D.J. Bowels (Wichita State), and Alex Owens (Top 20 Sophomore). Huntington Prep (22-2) have some players of their own including Andrew Wiggins (#1 player in the country), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (Florida State), Moses Kingsley (Arkansas), Monataque Gill Ceasar (Top 20 Sophomore), Dominic Woodson (Baylor), Travon Landry (Tennessee) and other divison one prospects like seniors Patrick Strake, Carlos Arroyo and Williams Otor Gabriel.
Want to see everyone in Huntington in the Spring Valley HS Gym tomorrow.
January 31 | Read More
Huntington Prep shines on ESPN
HAMPTON, Va. -- Huntington Prep's Andrew Wiggins put on a show Saturday in the boys basketball program's first nationally-televised contest, scoring 28 points to lead the Express in a 70-49 win over Cape Henry (Va.).
The game was part of the MLK Round Ball Classic and was seen on ESPN.
Cape Henry had no answer for Wiggins, whose quick-burst leaping ability had him finishing at the rim throughout the contest. The No. 1 college prospect in the Class of 2013 showed why Kentucky, Florida State, North Carolina and many others are after his services.
...
However, Cape Henry (11-2) was right in the contest, trailing just 29-24 at halftime.
Huntington Prep returns to action with a road matchup with the University of Charleston junior varsity on Wednesday before a Friday game against La Lumiere (Ind.) at the Flyin' To The Hoop tournament in Dayton, Ohio, and a Sunday clash with New Hampton at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.
The Sunday game at 5 p.m. will be on ESPN.
HUNTINGTON PREP 16 13 17 24 -- 70: Gill-Caesar 8, Grandstaff 5, Landry 2, Rathan-Mayes 14, Woodson 2, Novak 3, Wiggins 28, Kingsley 8.
CAPE HENRY 9 15 14 11 -- 49: Langton 5, Hall 2, Paige 19, Hutton 15, Clarke 4, Morris 4
January 13 | Read More
Spotlight shines on Wiggins
HUNTINGTON -- As Huntington Prep's charter bus left Ryan's Steakhouse in Princeton, W.Va., Saturday en route to Floyd County, Va., for a game, a little boy named Virgil walked quickly out of the restaurant with his mother and father to catch a glimpse of Andrew Wiggins, the nation's top-ranked boys basketball prospect for 2013.
Sheepishly, the boy walked onto the team bus with his parents for an autograph.
Virgil's mother instructed him to get a photo, and Virgil perked up and threw his arm around Wiggins -- a gesture which drew a shy smile from Wiggins, who settled in for the portrait.
"That's everywhere. He gets it all the time," Huntington Prep coach Rob Fulford said with a smile. "It happened at McDonald's (Saturday), too. It's pretty common."
It's an interesting dynamic, really.
Wiggins can knock down a pressure shot or soar for a high-flying dunk in front of thousands while on the basketball court, but the fanfare is still something he is getting used to.
The spotlight is outside of his comfort zone just a bit.
"He's still learning to deal with it," Fulford said. "Standoff-ish isn't the word, but he's very careful with how he opens up and talks with people."
The quiet, 6-8, 215-pound, 17-year-old from Toronto is about two things at this stage -- basketball and being a kid while he can.
January 09 | Read More
Huntington Prep #1 in Academy Top 10: Play 7 and 11 this weekend.
1. (1) Huntington Prep (W.Va.), 14-0
2. (2) Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), 17-0
3. (3) Montverde Academy (Fla.), 12-0
4. (5) St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.), 10-0
I5. (7) La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.), 14-1
6. (4) Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 17-2
7. (NR) Prime Prep (Dallas), 8-0
8. (9) Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.), 15-0
9. (6) Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.), 8-2
10. (NR) Benedictine (Richmond, Va.), 14-0
Dropped out: No. 8 Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point, N.C.), No. 10 Our Savior New American (Centereach, N.Y.)
January will be an important and challenging month for the Express, beginning this weekend with games against No. 7 Prime Prep (Dallas) and No. 11 Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point, NC).
Huntington Prep will be taking the court in the Cancer Research Classic in Wheeling, WV against Prime Prep (Dallas, TX) Friday January 4, 2013. Prime Prep, Deion Sanders school, is currently 8-0 and coming off a victory against highly reguarded Houston Yates.
After that, the Express will travel to Floyd, Virginia to be part of the Chance Harmon Memorial Tournament. Waiting there will be Wesleyan Christian from High Point, NC who come in with a 10-2 record. The Trojans have lost 2 of there last 3.
Huntington Prep will have a new addition sporting the #32 jersey in Austin Grandstaff this weekend.
January 03 | Read More
Huntington Prep and Gorgui Dieng still a family.
Act of generosity will allow Gorgui Dieng’s parents to see him play for the first time
Just before he left for the airport Christmas Eve morning to welcome his mom and dad to the United States, Louisville center Gorgui Dieng sent a text to the woman who arranged for his parents to visit.
"I can never repay you or thank you enough for making this happen," the Senegal native wrote.
That giddy, gracious text was all the thanks Proctorville, Ohio, resident Lesley Thomas needed for her efforts to enable Dieng's parents to watch him play on U.S. soil for the first time. Thomas and her husband Scott, Dieng's host family while he played high school ball at Huntington Prep, spent the past five months working on the logistics of getting Momar Dieng and Seynabou Diagne to Louisville in time to spend Christmas with their son and attend Saturday's game against rival Kentucky.
December 28 | Read More
Prep picks up win at Florida tourney
HUNTINGTON -- On one of the biggest national stages for high school players, Huntington Prep's Andrew Wiggins proved why he is the nation's No. 1 player for the Class of 2013.
With the game in the balance, Wiggins scored 14 of his 31 points in the third quarter as the Express turned a close contest into a blowout during a 77-50 win over Houston HYCA at the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla.
"He definitely picked it up a notch and Xavier (Rathan-Mayes) had 14 assists," Huntington Prep coach Rob Fulford said. "The offense was there, and defensively we did a good job. We are going to score a lot of points, but we pride ourselves on defense and the fact that teams can't score on us."
Wiggins displayed an array of aerial jams, including one play in the third quarter when point guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes sent a pass between his legs to Wiggins, who finished with a tomahawk slam to bring the house down.
Even ESPN's Dick Vitale called it a "top 10 ESPN Sportscenter highlight dunk" on his Twitter feed.
HOUSTON HYCA 10 17 8 15 -- 50: Decker 6, Hughes 4, Laser 4, Jackson 19, Rhodes 17 HUNTINGTON PREP 11 24 23 19 -- 77: Gill-Caesar 7, Landry 2, Rathan-Mayes 4, Wiggins 31, Kingsley 12, Woodson 9, Strake 5, Arroyo 3
December 22 | Read More
Tri-State an interesting dynamic for Prep stars
SUMMIT, Ky. -- Two hours following Huntington Prep's win over Arlington Country Day on Saturday night, the Express players were still busy with a full-court press.
It wasn't the Apaches' defense that was after them.
It was Big Blue Nation -- a throng of Kentucky fans waiting to get whatever items they brought to Boyd County Middle School signed.
Of course, Kentucky is known for being a basketball-crazed state already, and with the nation's top-ranked recruit in town -- a guy who is also being heavily recruited by the University of Kentucky -- it was sure to be a wild atmosphere.
The Boyd County Roundball Classic certainly lived up to its billing as 8,000 patrons filed into the gym over the course of the two-day event to catch a glimpse of Andrew Wiggins -- the aforementioned top-ranked recruit for the Class of 2013.
It's an atmosphere that the Huntington Prep team is growing accustomed to quickly.
December 17 | Read More
City League Hoops on Huntington Prep
Here’s a look at some of the Huntington Prep players who stood out
Andrew Wiggins, 6’8, SF, 2013-Wiggins did not have the best shooting game, but made up in other facets to finish with 17 points, 18 rebounds, and 5 blocks in just three quarters of action. The nation’s top player hit a pair of threes, got to the line at will, and changed the game on both ends with his athleticism in a tune-up for this weekend’s Boyd County Roundball Classic.
Montaque Gill-Caesar, 6’5, SG/SF, 2015-The explosion of Montaque Gill-Caesar continued on Wednesday night, where he led Huntington Prep in scoring with 21 points. MGC was a beast flashing to the high post against Charleston’s zone, showed an outstanding feel out on the court, and used his athleticism to do damage in transition. Ranked amongst the top 25 sophomores in the country by some services, “Teki” has been looking more like a top-10 guy all season long.
Xavier Rathan-Mayes, 6’3, SG/PG, 2013-Playing point guard for the majority of the game, we got to see what X had to offer when he had the ball in his hands. After shooting the lights out last weekend in DC, the Florida State recruit opted to go with more of a playmaking role and finished with 17 assists via a flurry of no look passes and by keeping his head on a swivel to find the open man. The progression that he’s shown as a playmaker will not only help him immensely in college, but will prove essential in Huntington Prep’s journey for a national championship.
Carlos Arroyo, 6’1, PG/SG, 2013- One of the few Huntington Prep players left who hasn’t decided on a college for next year, Arroyo pumped in 12 points off the bench. He showed that he had no problem slashing to the rim against D-2 Charleston, so schools near that level should have no questions about offering him a scholly.
December 14 | Read More
Huntington Prep stays unbeaten
A rousing halftime speech spurred an improved defensive effort that led the nation's top-ranked high school team to a 99-53 victory over the University of Charleston JV in front of 1,000 spectators in the Spring Valley High School gym.
Gill-Caesar scored seven consecutive points during the big run and finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds while also playing solid defense.
"We went in the locker room and Coach told us that we were a little sluggish on both ends," Gill-Caesar said. "Because we're in the No. 1 spot, teams are going to be coming for us. We have to bring it each time on the floor and show them why we are No. 1."
Moses Kingsley -- a player more noted for blocking shots -- matched Gill-Caesar with 21 points while adding eight rebounds and four blocks in front of his future coaching staff from the University of Arkansas.
"I thought Moses played great," Fulford said. "He got out and ran the floor after playing defense. We need that every night."
Williams was in the crowd to check out Andrew Wiggins, the nation's top-rated player for the Class of 2013. Wiggins, who has been hampered by illness over the last few days, ended the night with 17 points and 18 rebounds. He had 15 rebounds at halftime.
December 13 | Read More
