Jacksonville, AL – Senior center proves there’s life after departure of 6-9 star Phillips, helps defending state champion Jacksonville return to Final Four in his way
By Joe Medley
Ethan Duke matter-of-factly notes he’s not 6-foot-9, like the guy he replaced in Jacksonville’s starting lineup. While Tennessee commit Cade Phillips sharpens his game at Link Academy in Branson, Mo., this season, Duke has a work-a-day commitment for his soon-to-be life beyond high school. He’s taking his talents to Alexandria-based K and A Landscape, where he’s worked part time for three years. “I’m not going to college or anything,” he said. “I’m just working. I’ve got some family members that run a business, and I’m just going to work for them. “It’s landscaping, lawn care … outside stuff.”
Duke still has indoor work to do. Having helped the defending state champion Golden Eagles (27-6) return to the Final Four, the 6-4 senior center hopes to help their otherwise star-laced lineup mow down two more opponents in Birmingham this week. It starts with Hale County in Tuesday’s Class 4A state semifinals in Legacy Arena, and the winner advances to Friday’s title game. Jacksonville won its first-ever state championship in boys basketball in its one season with Phillips, who took the prep school route after last season. The Golden Eagles have the chance to win a title without him.
While Jacksonville coach Tres Buzan acknowledges that replacing Phillips’ points, rebounds and rim defense has come “by committee” this season, there’s a place for a glue player like Duke in the lineup. Duke has been more than a placeholder. “He’s a big part of our team. He’s one of our main captains,” senior guard and South Alabama signee John Broom said. “He helps us lead the underclassmen, and he’s just very, very strong on and off the court.”
Duke’s strength helps Broom, twins Cam and Caden Johnson and rising-star sophomore point guard Devin Barksdale flourish. “He plays with guys with a lot of tremendous talent, so he embraces where he’s going to get his shots,” Buzan said. “He knows we’re at our best when we get guys like Devin, and John, and Cam, and Caden loose. He takes a lot of pride in doing that. He’s kind of our tone setter. “We couldn’t do it without him.” Duke averages 2.8 points and 4.5 rebounds but has his moments. He scored six of his nine points during a key third-quarter stretch in Jacksonville’s victory over Etowah in the Northeast Regional final. [read more…]
