Jacksonville, AL – The senior center proves there’s still life after the departure 6-9 star Phillips and helps champions of the state championship Jacksonville get back to Final Four in his way
By Joe Medley
Ethan Duke matter-of-factly notes he’s not 6’9 like the man who he replaced in Jacksonville’s first team. When Tennessee commitment Cade Phillips sharpens his game at Link Academy in Branson, Mo. This year, Duke has a work-a-day commitment for the future of his life after high school. Duke is taking his skills to the Alexandria-based K and A Landscape, where he’s worked as a part-time employee for the past three years. “I’m not going to school or any other institution,” he said. “I’m doing nothing but working. There are family members who own an enterprise which I’m just working for them. “It’s landscaping and lawn care … outdoor stuff.”
Duke still has work to complete. Duke has helped the championship champions of the state Golden Eagles (27-6) return to the Final Four, the 6-4 senior center is hoping to help their star-studded team take down two more foes within Birmingham next week. The first game is Hale County in Tuesday’s Class 4A state semifinals at Legacy Arena, and the winner will advance to Friday’s championship game. Jacksonville has won its first state championship in basketball for boys during its single season without Phillips who chose the route of a prep school after last year’s season. Jacksonville’s Golden Eagles have the chance to claim a championship without Phillips.
Although Jacksonville Coach Tres Buzan is aware that replacing Phillips points, rebounds and rim defense was done “by group” in the past, there is a need for a glue player such as Duke on the roster. Duke is more than just a replacement. “He’s an integral member the team. He’s our principal leaders,” Senior guard who is also South Alabama signee John Broom told. “He assists us in leading the students, and he’s extremely, very solid in both sides of the ball.”
Duke’s strengths help Broom as well as twins Cam and Caden Johnson and rising-star sophomore point guard Devin Barksdale flourish. “He works with players with an abundance of potential, so he knows the areas where he’ll be able to take shot,” Buzan said. “He is aware that we’re at our peak when we have players like Devin and John and Cam as well as Caden loose. He takes great satisfaction in that. He’s our tone-setter. “We could not have without his help.” Duke averages 2.8 points and 4.5 Rebounds, but he also is not without moments. Duke scored 6 of the 9 points in an important third-quarter stretch during Jacksonville’s win in the Northeast Regional final. Etowah during the Northeast Regional final. [read more…]
