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High school notebook Date published: 10/16/2008
BY TAFT COGHILL JR. The competition at Duke just got stiffer for Courtland High School junior basketball standout Josh Hairston. But the 6-foot-8 power forward said he's not alarmed. Hairston orally committed to the Blue Devils last month. Duke has two freshman power forwards on its current roster. It had already taken a commitment from class of 2009 power forward Mason Plumlee before Hairston gave his pledge. And just last week it took another commitment from a senior power forward--6-9 Raleigh, N.C. star Ryan Kelly. Hairston said the suddenly crowded position is no reason to believe he committed to the Blue Devils too soon. "I know anywhere I go, I've got to work for playing time," Hairston said. "That's one thing I'm glad [Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski] said to me: He never promised me anything. He always told me I had to work. So I'm ready to step in there and work hard." Hairston said he played with Kelly at the NBA Top 100 camp in Charlottesville this past summer. He also played with Plumlee in a pickup game at Duke just before he committed. Hairston said both are "phenomenal" players and he can't wait to join them as teammates at Duke. He said he has no thoughts of rescinding his non-binding commitment although he can't officially sign with the Blue Devils until November 2009. "I know that Duke is not just going to stop with recruiting me," Hairston said. "They're going to keep on recruiting to get better players. So I knew they were going to bring in more players. I'm fine with it." COUGARS FORGET FIRST LOSS The way Courtland (5-1) lost its first football game wasn't easy for head coach J.C. Hall to take. But when the Cougars left the field following their 23-21 nondistrict loss to Monticello that featured a few controversial calls from officials last Friday, Hall was determined not to let the memory linger. He can't afford to with unbeaten Chancellor (6-0) on the horizon tomorrow. "Chancellor has our undivided attention," Hall said. Hall added that he makes no excuses for the loss to Monticello, which included an inadvertent whistle overturning a Mustangs fumble that Courtland recovered at its goal-line in the fourth quarter. Monticello later scored a key touchdown. There was also an apparent deep completion ruled incomplete with the Cougars driving for the potential winning score. Still, Hall said Monticello earned the win. "We're not going to sit here and start pointing the finger," Hall said. "The officials did not cost us the ball game." CONQUERORS IN POSTSEASON Two Faith Baptist sports programs are set to begin postseason play. The Conquerors' volleyball team is the fifth seed in the Old Dominion Association of Church Schools tournament. It will visit Landmark Christian for a quarterfinal on Monday at 4:30 p.m. The soccer team is the No. 2 seed in the ODACS tournament. The Conquerors have a bye to the semifinals against Heritage Christian at Landmark next Friday. Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-5526
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