By Travis Hubbard
The Herald-Dispatch
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HUNTINGTON -- It's rare that Patrick Patterson gets challenged by a guy close to his same size and talent level. Most games he's forced to dunk with two undersized post players draped on his back.
Tonight, Patterson, Huntington High's 6-foot-9 and 235-pound All-American, will face maybe the second-best big man in West Virginia high school basketball. The Highlanders (23-2) play 6-foot-7 Bryant Irwin and Bridgeport (20-4) at 5:30 p.m. today at the Charleston Civic Center in the Class AAA semifinals.
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"I really don't know much about him," Patterson said after Huntington dispatched Fairmont Senior, 103-39, on Wednesday. "I haven't got to see him play."
But that was before Patterson got a chance to review the scouting report and film of Irwin's 34-point outburst on Wednesday against Jefferson, a 64-61 win for the Indians.
Irwin, like Patterson, has some interest from West Virginia University coach John Beilein. He also has an early scholarship offer from James Madison. That's a far cry from the national powers Patterson has on speed dial -- Duke, Florida, Kentucky, Virginia, Wake Forest and West Virginia -- but Irwin is a year younger and at least one of the top five juniors in the state.
And Huntington coach Lloyd McGuffin, who unlike Patterson got to watch Irwin's first round performance in person, says Irwin may be the top returning player in the state next year.
"He's a tremendous player and can shoot from outside," McGuffin said. "He actually helped them handle the ball a little against the press. I was very impressed. ... He'll present a challenge, and they have some other players, too."
Irwin made his only three-point attempt and was 13-of-21 from the floor against Jefferson. He also made seven of 10 free throws but only had four rebounds. Patterson's line wasn't shabby either: 27 points on 12-of-13 shooting and four dunks, 11 rebounds, seven blocked shots and four steals in just 20 minutes played.
"He's got so many skills and is so developed," said Fairmont Senior coach David Retton. "When he was a sophomore, he was more of just a great defensive standout, but now he's got so many more post moves and is so much stronger."
If Irwin plans on playing inside and outside, that probably means the head-to-head match-up likely won't develop, though. Patterson likely won't chase Irwin out on the perimeter, choosing instead to occupy the paint in Huntington's 1-3-1 trapping defense.
Huntington would prefer the ball never even get into a halfcourt setup.
And with the Highlanders showcasing six seniors all with potential Division I opportunities, Patterson won't have to carry the offensive load against Irwin.
Still, don't be surprised if the 2006 West Virginia Player of the year and 2007 Mountain State Athletic Conference player of the year doesn't up his level of play. He's had some of his best offensive games -- against DeMatha, Artesia and Capital -- in games against some of his best post competition.
Huntington High's Patrick Patterson dunks in the first quarter against Capital High in the "Night of Champions" on Monday, Feb. 19, 2007, in Charleston
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