Fishburne Military School’s postgraduate team may be the new kid on the block when the Caissons squad takes the floor against venerable postgraduate standard-bearer Fork Union.
But on Saturday at the Virginia Military Postgraduate Challenge, the host team Fishburne, and its stingy defense, proved that the program is making some significant strides with a 75-50 victory over Fork Union.
Fishburne put together a monster late first half run capped by a Wes Carlson 3-pointer at the buzzer that put the Caissons up 33-24. The defense locked down on most of Fork Union’s roster in the first half, with only Bryce Douvier finding a real rhythm with 14 first half points.
“We just felt like we needed to be pushing it, pushing up our defensive intensity and our offense would work itself out,” said Appalachian State commitment Tab Hamilton. “That’s a good little win, a real nice win.”
Hamilton had 18 points in the win and picked up team MVP honors for the tournament. Hamilton was particularly adept at creating offense out of his work on defense. One of his backcourt mates, K.C. Whitaker, led the charge with 27 points, burying six 3-pointers on the night. Whitaker is headed to Alabama-Birmingham next Fall.
“K.C. and Tab are big time guards,” said Fishburne coach Ed Huckaby. “I thought they played well, I can’t complain.”
Will Simonton finished with just four but his work defensively changed the direction of the contest for Fishburne.
“I thought the catalyst for us was Will Simonton, because he controlled the middle,” Huckaby said. “He played huge, he defended well and moved his feet.”
Simonton is slated to join Illinois-Chicago’s program.
It was a big boost for Fishburne that came just days after falling to Blue Ridge’s prep team in overtime and the win came with three of the squad’s starters at the beginning of the year out. Point guard Justin Burrell then also got knocked out of the game, leaving Fishburne with just one starter from the season opener left in the lineup.
“It’s a program builder,” Huckaby said. “It wasn’t good when we got upset by a well-deserving Blue Ridge team, but that happens sometimes and you have to move on.”
Douvier led Fork Union (17-4) with 20 points while Prince Williams chipped in 10.
“Ed’s done a good job at Fishburne, I can’t say enough good about him,” said FUMA coach Fletcher Arritt. “He’s put together a great team and we’ll have to play them again so we’ll see what happens.”
The squads will lock up again in three weeks out at Fork Union February 21.
