FAIRMONT —
The Fairmont Senior High School boys’ basketball team is set to prove that it can get it done in the 2012-13 season.
Last year, the Polar Bears were devastated after losing to George Washington in the state quarterfinals, 71-47.
That loss still sticks in Coach David Retton’s mind.
“We have a saying: ‘We’re as good as our last ball game,’” Retton said. “Well, I was out-coached and I didn’t have my team ready to go because we went down there and didn’t play well against GW (George Washington). So I’m as good as the last game that I coached in, which wasn’t too good, plus we didn’t play that well.
“We’ve set some goals, which are more short term, and that is based on what we’re trying to do in practice,” he continued. “We talked about it last year for one day, and now we have to move on and we have moved on to this season. So I think it’s really important for us to keep that focus every day in practice and practice what we have to do each day and what we need to do to get better.”
Now, a year later, FSHS is virtually the same team. They’ve returned a pair of stars in Jarin Hilson and Travon Horton, but they also are returning Devante’ Waites, Shaquille Washington and Austin Norman.
The only piece missing is Van Jones, who graduated last year.
“We have some good shooters, but it determines on how the shots are being generated,” Retton said. “I think we’re really good at dribble penetration and getting the ball to the basket and then kicking it out. Our guys understand where their teammates are going to be based on certain areas.
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Related Photos
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Fairmont Senior’s Jarin Hilson (right) drives past East Fairmont’s Joseph Casalinuova (3) in the Polar Bears’ 68-67 win last season. PHOTO BY TAMMY SHRIVER
FSHS boys ready to pounce
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