Saturday, January 10, 2009
Pulaski Co.'s Nubian Peak rounding into hardwood shape after football season
Pulaski County star Nubian Peak is finding his game after being delayed by football.
DUBLIN -- Nubian Peak says he's finally rounding into basketball form.
That may come as disturbing news to those opponents who thought the Pulaski County senior looked just fine on hardwood coming straight off the football field.
Delayed by the Cougars deep run in the VHSL Group 2 Division 4 playoffs, Peak's subsequent arrival to join the basketball team provided an immediate boost last month.
As his 21 points and 10 rebounds against visiting Salem indicated Friday night, he's ready to play some serious hoops now.
That, superb team defense, and a commanding presence on the backboards helped lead the Cougars to a 68-50 River Ridge District triumph.
"I'm three weeks behind because of football," Peak said. "I'm just now getting into basketball shape where I can go out there and play respectably for longer times. I'm just now getting back into groove and just in time for district play."
The Cougars bounced back from the district opening loss at Cave Spring Wednesday with a renewed enthusiasm for defense and vigorous assault on the backboards. The Cougars held Salem without a fourth-quarter field goal and to just 14 overall, two being 3-pointers.
"We felt like our half-court defense was able to take them out of some things they wanted to do," Pulaski County coach Mark Hanks said. "That's the best half-court defense we've played all year."
Salem stayed within striking distance thanks in part to 35 foul shots, 20 of which were made.
Another big factor: rebounding. The Cougars prevailed 33-26.
"Eventually, rebounding comes down to effort and heart," Spartans coach Kevin Garst said.
Pulaski County had 11 players score but the only other besides Peak to score in double figures was C.J. Burgis, who had three of the Cougars seven 3-pointers. Back-to-back treys for Burgis in the second quarter pushed Pulaski County out to an 11-point lead. He finished with 13.
"It looked like they came out in some kind of junk defense on Nubian then 'bam-bam', that got them out of the junk real quick," Hanks said of Burgis' 3's. "That pushed on up into a double-figure lead. That was huge.
Reggie Barnette led the Spartans with 10 points. Salem made a stab at a comeback in the third quarter, but that eventually stalled.
"When Nubian got his third foul, the lead went from 17 to seven real quick," Hanks said.
SALEM (6-4, 0-1)
R. Barnette 3 4-9 10, Harvey 3 2-2 9, Carroll 1 0-0 3, Hairston 1 2-6 4, Tolliver 2 0-0 4, S. Barnette 0 2-2 2, Wade 0 2-2 2, Hughes 0 2-5 2, Pendleton 1 2-4 4, McDaniel 2 2-3 6, Simpson 1 2-2 4. Totals: 14 20-35 50.
PULASKI COUNTY (8-4, 1-1)
N. Peak 7 5-8 21, Burgis 4 2-4 13, Mattox 1 0-0 3, White 3 2-2 9, Graham 1 2-2 4, Cox 1 0-3 2, Powell 0 0-0 0, Samples 1 0-0 2, Brookman 0 1-2 1, Matusevich 0 0-0 0, Quesenberry 1 3-4 5, Hazzard 1 0- 0 2, T. Peak 2 2-2 6. Totals: 22 17-27 68.
Salem 7 12 17 14 -- 50
Pulaski County 12 19 14 23 -- 68
Three-point goals -- Salem 2 (Carroll, Harvey), Pulaski County 7 (Burgis 3, N. Peak 2, White, Mattox). Total fouls -- Salem 20, Pulaski County 25. Fouled out -- none. JV -- Salem, 50-44.
