Anniston, AL – Monday roundup: Freshman promoted from JV and answers the call, scores 15 to lead Donoho over ASD in area game, Weaver falls to Westbrook, Cleburne County plays in-school game
By Al Muskewitz
Korielle Beavers was only a little concerned when he took his Donoho basketball team into an area game they couldn’t afford to lose without two of his best players. He was confident in the abilities of those who remained and knew someone would step up to fill the void. He just didn’t know who it would be.
Enter Bruce Downey. The freshman was brought up from the junior varsity and had the game of his life, scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, to lead the Falcons over Alabama School for the Deaf 74-45. “I always knew he had it, especially recently,” Beavers said. “He’s been asking a lot of questions about what he can do to get better, learning offense, learning defense. “He’s just got a will, man. He’s just got a passion for it and a drive. That’s what we need on the team. Now, he gives me a whole lot to think about.”
Beavers was looking for a few good men because leading scorer Drew Williamson and Richard Goad both were out with illness. He isn’t certain when either will return. Jack Wallace and Isaiah Smith started in their place. Wallace had 14 points and five assists, Smith had eight points. Downey had been called up to the varsity a few times this season, but he got his most extensive action against the Silent Warriors. He was 7-of-13 from the field and also had seven steals in his 18 and a half minutes of fame.
“I’ve bene called up before, so I was used to it, but that’s the first time I really played a lot on varsity; I think I did pretty good,” he said. “I wasn’t really nervous coming to this game. I just came in ready to play. I was ready to play. “We’re all good players, we all have our good days and bad days. I just came in playing good. I started scoring, passing the ball, taking it up the court. That’s what I did for JV, so I just transferred it over to varsity.” [read more ….]
