Just within a whisker, an eyelash, the edge of a razor – that’s how close West Bladen’s Knights came to advancing to the Class 2-A Eastern Regionals Tuesday night, but Fairmont came up with a big defensive play at the end and escaped with a 58-54 victory.
“We had a couple of good looks that didn’t go in, but the difference in that game was razor thin,” said West Bladen Coach Travis Pait. ”Just a loose ball or two that didn’t go our way.”
It was the end of a 4-year run with an exceptional senior class for Coach Pait, “I’ve been doing this for ten years, and this is one of my favorite teams.”
The Knights reeled off ten straight wins to start the season and captured the championship of their own Woodmen of the World Christmas Tournament with wins over Lumberton and Fairmont in the title game.
The first week in January started with 3 straight conference losses – two on the road, but the Knights recovered to win 11 straight conference games and 12 of 13 overall to claim the Four County Conference Championship.
“I think that week was a blessing in disguise,” said Coach Pait. “It taught us how to handle adversity and made us stronger as a team.”
The Knights had to win tough conference games at Clinton and Midway to move into first place. “We were really a group of over-acheivers,” said Pait. “We didn’t have the best talent in the conference, but we had the best team.”
West Bladen was led all year by their 3-guard combo of seniors Rahu Purdie and Malcolm Vaught and junior Stephon McDonald. Purdie averaged 18 points a game and McDonald and Vaught both averaged over 11.5 ppg.
“I don’t know of anyone that has a group of 3 guards as good as ours,” stated Coach Pait. “All three of them are All-Conference players. I don’t know of a better guard in our area than Rahu. I really hope he gets some state-wide recognition.”
As freshmen Vaught and Purdie were stand-outs on Pait’s first team at West Bladen that featured current Campbell University player D. J. Mason and captured the Waccamaw Conference Championship.
“Everyone knew who Malcolm was because of what he did in middle school, and he contributes in so many ways,” remembered Coach Pait. “But Rahu came out of nowhere as a freshman and has just gotten better and better,”
“Stephon really came into his own this year,” continued Coach Pait. “He is really good in the open floor and attacking the basket, but at Clinton he was the best player on the floor – not with his scoring but with his defense and rebounding.”
Sophmore forward Sayaun Dent was the Knights leading rebounder and averaged 8 points per game. “Where would we be without Sayaun,” said Pait. “He is probably the second-best shooter on the team, but he had to play inside because we needed him there.”
Senior center Brandon Council was the second leading rebounder and added 5 ppg. “Brandon didn’t even play basketball his freshman year and look at how far he has come,” noted Coach Pait. “He was instrumental to our success this year.”
Freshman Jonathan Robinson was the first inside player off the bench for the Knights. “Jonathan came in as a freshman, and we threw him right into the fire,” said Coach Pait. “Over the last 10-12 games he was really good.”
Junior Daquan Lennon was another key contributor off the bench for the Knights. “I am so proud of the way Daquan has matured this season,” said Pait. “He gave us big minutes, especially after he returned from the injury.”
A group of 4 seniors anchored the West Bladen bench. “Brian Floyd, Joseph Miller, and Justin Ruffin are program guys,” said Pait. “They have played here for 4 years, first on the JV team, then on varsity the last two years.”
“Brian may not have played 13 minutes all of last year, and he becomes our sixth man this year,” said Coach Pait. “Joseph gave us big minutes when we needed them. Justin played well, and he really brought it in practice every day. Joseph, Justin and Brian had to go against those 3 guards every day in practice and it just made them and the starters better.”
Seniior A. J. Council had played jayvee for 2 years at West Bladen, then moved away. “He wanted to come back, and he talked his mom into it,” said Pait. A. J. was our defensive stopper in some games, and having to go against A. J. in practice made Rahu better.”
Junior David Gittens came up from the jayvee team. “David helped us a lot in practice working against the bigs,” said Coach Pait. “We are looking for him to work hard this summer and be ready to contribute more next season.”
Junior Jonathan Russ was another inside player for the Knights. “Really excited about Jonathan Russ,” said Pait. “Looking for him to contribute in a big way next year, and we are also looking for big things from John Bowen.” Bowen, a sophmore, came up from the jayvee team for the play-offs.
“This is a really great job here,” continued Coach Pait. “There is not another coaching job that I would put ahead of it. The Fairmont game made about 6 or 7 really big crowds that we have had. This side of Bladen County loves basketball, and they really come out and support it. They always have, and I appreciate it.”
Seven seniors graduate, but with McDonald, Dent, Lennon and Robinson returning along with Bowen, Russ and Gittens, the Knights already have a nucleus to build on for next year.
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