Campbell Hall’s dynasty far from over
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Campbell Hall Coach Terry Kelly hates to describe his team as a dynasty, but when you win three state division titles in four years, you can’t blame the media for wanting to put a tag on you. Besides, anyone could have made a valid argument about this team’s dynastic qualifications following last year’s state title run.
And you better get your head examined if you’re one of the few who thinks the Vikings will return to mere mortality now that Jrue Holiday and Dallas Rutherford are hitting the college trail. Unless some Yoko Ono-type event breaks up the roster or an Astrodome-sized meteorite hits NoHo, the Vikings will claim another Southern Section divisional title before challenging for a state title in 2009.
Even without Holiday and Rutherford, Campbell Hall is loaded with talent. I know freshman Austin McBroom had his coming out party months ago, but his 30-point, record-setting performance on Friday afternoon was simply amazing. For a young kid to come up clutch like that in the biggest game of the year is virtually unheard of and that’s why he’s got to be the best region’s best freshman (sorry, Damiene Cain and Taylor Hange, but the blogosphere has your back).
In addition, sophomore Duece Johnson and junior Keegan Hornbuckle, pictured, are amongst some of the most-reliable two-way threats around. Johnson’s imposing size and comfortable demeanor in the paint make him a rebounding and put-back ace and Hornbuckle has the ability to score from practically anywhere on the floor.
Even with all these great players, you know all this success is going to draw in at least a couple more highly-skilled players over the next few years. I don’t think guys like McBroom and Rutherford ended up on Laurel Canyon Blvd. by accident.
This team has to be considered a dynasty and I’m looking forward to see how far it can go over the next three years.
-- Austin Knoblauch
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