Road to the state title runs through Butler

Staff

Published Thursday, March 3, 2005

The Alabama High School Athletic Association Final Four may be played in Birmingham, but the truth is the road to the title runs through Butler High School.

The Rebels, who ended last season by raising the state championship trophy into the air at the Jefferson County Civic Center, would like nothing more than to do the same thing this season.

"It would be nice to be able to win another state championship," Butler head coach Jack Doss said. "We were able to win back-to-back championships in 1981 and 1982 and we certainly wouldn't mind duplicating that feat."

If the Rebels (17-10) are to wear the crown again this season, the defending champions will have to knock off the Charles Henderson High School Trojans (18-10) in a showdown set for 10:30 a.m. on Friday - a feat that Doss expects to be "very tough."

"I've been able to learn a little about Charles Henderson through watching some tapes and talking with some people who have seen them play, and they are very good team. They're a well-coached team that has some really good inside players. They know how to win."

Butler, who returns just two players from last season's title team, also knows how to win, and the Rebels do it primarily on the strength of their inside game.

Jeff Smith and Edward Staten are the only two members of the Rebels who were on last season's team.

"We've been fortunate to win a few state championships over the years, so our kids understand what it takes," Doss said. "Even though this group hasn't really played in this type of game, they have been around it and they have an idea of what to expect. We're going to try and do what we can do well and hope that gets us a win."

What the Rebels do well is feed the ball inside to 6-foot-10 freshman Ralph Sampson.

"Ralph is a very good player," Doss said. "He's just 15 years old, so he still has a lot of learning to do, but he's played well for us this season and we expect him to play well on Friday."

Sampson is joined on the inside by Damion Alexander (6-foot-5) and Terrance Alexander (6-foot-6).

"I definitely think our inside game is our strength, but we do what the game dictates," Doss said. "Basketball is like a chess match. You have to adjust to what your opponent can and can't do and what you can and can't do. If Charles Henderson gets out and runs and we can run with them, we will do that. We'll kind of feel it out once the game starts, but we will definitely give our inside game a good look."

The Trojans and the Rebels will tipoff at 10:30 a.m. The game will be carried on WTBF (94.7 FM).

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