Oxford, AL – Herbert is back in Oxford as B.B. Head coach of Comer, runs into Jacksonville juggernaut during his debut
Al Muskewitz
Marcus Herbert was aware of what he was getting himself into when he accepted the job.
Herbert, a former Weaver player, coach and director, was back in a Calhoun County coach’s box Saturday, directing B.B. The new season will mark a new chapter for Comer’s coaching career.
He could not have asked for a more difficult debut. He did request it.
Herbert offered the Tigers the opportunity to face the 4A state champion Jacksonville after the original Larry & Connie Davidson Classic game between the Golden Eagles and Herbert was cancelled.
To avoid any unforeseeable problems in getting players back for Saturday’s state championship football game, Carrollton (Ga.), pulled out of Saturday’s game. Organisers moved it up to 11 a.m. Joel VanMeter, Oxford coach, called Herbert, his former junior high coach, and Daryl Hamby, his Jacksonville assistant, asked if the Tigers could fill the spot.
It worked out better for Jacksonville than the Tigers. The Golden Eagles started quickly against a team that had only a few practices and won 95 to 59.
Herbert stated, “I knew that this was going to occur because we just finished playing football a week earlier.” Coach Van sent me a text on Thursday asking me to play. The children wanted to play. The kids wanted to play and compete so that’s what we did today.
“This is an important lesson. We played as a great team. They are champions for a reason. I explained to the kids that we don’t care if we win or lose, this is about improving, to see where our strengths are, because we want to be just like them in 2A.
Jacksonville was happy that Carrollton’s bankruptcy didn’t force organizers to cancel the game. Although the Golden Eagles played Friday night, coach TresBuzan wanted another game so that his team could continue to search for its identity.
They started quickly against a team with 11 football players, who just came off the 2A state champion game.
The Golden Eagles scored 15 points in just three minutes. They also scored 32 points in each quarter and led 64-25 at the halftime. John Broom (22) was the leading scorer, followed by Caden Johnson (20). Cam Johnson threw in 19.
Buzan stated, “Every game that we play, we’re discovering who we are more.” “I feel like we are putting things together, improving every game. So I was very happy to see us play today. The first group did a great job, and the second group was fantastic. After that, the bench had some really good minutes from the guys.
“That’s the best start we’ve had. We started slow this week, but they came out strong and I felt like we were playing right from the beginning. It was great because we were un-efficient last night so it was nice today to see a return.
Herbert was greeted by Hamby upon his arrival at the Oxford Sports Arena. He considers Hamby a father figure and mentor. As a Weaver High School student, he played for Hamby and was part the Bearcats’ coaching team from the moment he graduated until his retirement as Hamby’s hand-picked successor.
Both said that it was a strange feeling to be sitting next to each other on the court of basketball for the first time. Herbert didn’t allow these feelings to get in the way.
He said, “At the end it’s competition so I can’t worry over that.” “I’m B.B. “I’m B.B.
He isn’t discouraged despite the day’s results.
He said, “We’re going be OK.” “Once they learn how to play the game correctly, we’ll be all right,” he said.
Hamby is certain.
He said, “I’m really proud Marcus,” “That team is going to do well. They’ve got to beat us, after coming out of the playoffs. They showed great energy, I thought. It’s going be a great team. There are some big men on that team.
JACKSONVILLE 95 B.B. COMER 59
B.B. B.B. Totals 24-98 5-15 59.
JACKSONVILLE- John Broom 10-17, 0-1 22. Caden Johnson 9-12 2-20. Cam Johnson 6-9 5-5 19. Jaquan Ervin 4-7 2-2 10. Jaleik Young 3-4 0-2 9. Imoree Young 1-1 4. DaMonte Sinclair 3-4 0-0 2. Dee Prothro 0-0.0-0 0. Ethan Duke 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 38-61 11-15 95.
B.B. B.B.
Jacksonville 32 32 21 10 – 95
3-point goals: B.B. Comer 6-14 (Harris 2-2, Harvey 2-4, Garrett 1-3, Sims 0-1, Swain 1-1, Carpenter 0-2, Carmichael 0-1); Jacksonville 8-19 (Broom 2-5, Cd. Johnson 0-1, Johnson 0-2, Cm. Johnson 204, Ervin 0-1, Long 0-2, Fisher 3-4, Young 1-1, Duke 0-1). Rebounds: B.B. Comer 28 (Devin Harvey 7); Jacksonville 31 (Cd. Johnson 7, Ervin 7). Total fouls: B.B. Comer 13, Jacksonville 14. Officials: Pratt, Taylor, Bearden.
