Doddridge snaps 18-year absence since last appearance at state tournament
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WEST UNION - The boys basketball team has the art of the Gatorade bath down to a science.
Now that they have snapped an 18-year drought since the school's last appearance at the state tournament, they hope more Gatorade dumping is in store.
The Bulldogs (18-7) are the No. 7 seed for the Class A field and will meet No. 2 Tug Valley (19-6) in one quarterfinal set for a 1 p.m. opening tip Wednesday at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Under coach Garland Thompson, the Panthers are consistent members of the state tournament bracket - having won back-to-back state championships in 2012 and 2013.
"I've been watching as much film on Tug Valley as my eyes will allow," DCHS coach Paul Burnside said. "I've told people Tug Valley has been at the state tournament as long as I can remember. They have a rich tradition. They want to play fast and they play physical. They shoot the ball awfully well."
"They play three guards and two forwards, and we do about the same. I think we match up with them OK. It's just that they have more experience in this type of atmosphere and our guys haven't been there."
Three Panthers average scoring in double figures and all are underclassmen. Sophomore Braydun Ferris leads the team at 15.7 points per game, while juniors Kaden Hale (12.7) and Ashton Davis (12.2) also provide scoring punch.
DCHS counters with seniors Brandon Hileman and Jacob DeHaven for experience. Hileman, who has scored 1,000 points in his high school career, knocked down the game-winning shot which gave the Bulldogs a 47-46 win over Madonna in the regional co-final at West Union.
DCHS also feature sophomores Landon Thomas, Jaden Solon and Jerod Trent in the starting lineup. Trent, who played strictly varsity as a freshman, runs the show at point guard and usually gets the assignment to defend the No. 1 offensive threat on the opposing team.
Solomon sets the tone in the paint. Thomas doesn't fill up the stat sheet on most occasions, but his presence is vital to how the Bulldogs operate.
"We have had guys at different times come through, and that's why we have been as successful as we have been," Burnside said.
DCHS enters this week with a seven-game winning streak. The run began with the program's first appearance in the Little Kanawha Conference's Night of Champions and resulted in a 42-38 win over Ravenswood in the third-place game.
In the postgame locker room, the players doused coach Burnside with a Gatorade bath. It was dejau vu following the win over Madonna in the regional co-final. At least the second time around, coach Burnside was prepared and brought an extra pair of clothes.
"We were told by the SSAC to make sure there was no water dumping in the locker room at Charleston because of the carpeted floors," coach Burnside, "If the situation comes about again, we will have to make alternate plans and do it somewhere else."
Eight days will have passed between games when DCHS takes the floor against Tug Valley. Coach Burnside welcomes the break so he can fully prepare his players.
"It does take a while to come down from a game like we had against Madonna," Burnside said. "I've coached long enough where many times we were on the wrong end of those games. I definitely thank God we came out on the right end of that one.
"The players are excited for this week, but not intimated - they are not going in with fear. They aren't arrogant - we respect our opponent, but we are also confident in our ability which has got us this far. We know it's a different atmosphere down there. We are trying to keep it as routine as we can.
"I would be negligent if I didn't mention how thoroughly blessed we are, and for having the support of the community which has rallied around the team."