By BOB REDD
for the Daily Telegraph
BLUEFIELD — The first game of calendar year 2012 proved to be a success for the Bluefield Beavers as they downed the defending Class AA State Champion Oak Hill Red Devils 61-47, Thursday night at Ned Shott Gymnasium.
Lykel Collier’s three pointer 25 seconds into the game set the tone as all five Beaver starters got into the scoring column in the game’s first three minutes.
“Our coaching staff has worked very hard at spreading the ball around and making sure we get our screens set and get our cuts,” said Bluefield head coach Buster Large. “Any time you’ve got floor balance, you spread the ball around, other people scoring, it makes you tougher to defend, definitely in the long-run.”
Bluefield used a pressure defense and transition buckets to take a 17-10 advantage after the first eight minutes of play.
Oak Hill fought back in the second period and pulled to within three points at 19-16. Following a Bluefield timeout the Beavers closed the half on an 18-5 run and carried a 37-21 lead into the intermission.
The Beavers extended their lead as high as 22 points in the third period, but again Oak Hill clawed back, getting as close as 13, but no closer.
“We knew that they were going to make a run,” Large said. “When we got up by 14, even when we were at 19, they still made a run and that’s something you’ve got to be prepared for and our kids answered.”
Bluefield slowed the pace in the fourth quarter and came away with the 14 point win to remain perfect on the season.
Anthony Eades led all scorers with 25 points and K.J. Manns tallied 18, including a pair of thunderous dunks in transition.
Rondale Watson paced Oak Hill with 13.
The Beavers, now 6-0, return to the court at NSG tonight, hosting the PikeView Panthers.
“It’s a rivalry game,” Large said. “I’m sure they’ll come in here ready to play. We just have to get ready after a tough game and hopefully we’ll be ready to take the challenge tonight.”
Oak Hill is now 3-2 on the season.

at Ned Shott Gymnasium
OAK HILL (3-2)
Fruit 3 0-0 7, Jones 4 2-4 11, Goodman 0 0-0 0, Kees 1 0-0 2, Elam 1 1-1 3, Watson 4 5-8 13, Re 4 0-0 8, Logan 0 0-0 0, Totals 17 8-13 47.
BLUEFIELD (6-0)
Ponder 0 0-0 0, Amaker 0 0-0 0, Manns 9 0-2 18, Eades 11 3-5 25, Collier 2 2-2 7, Trimble 2 0-0 4, Yost 2 0-0 5, Edwards 1 0-0 2, Shorter 0 0-0 0, Totals 27 5-11 61.
Oak Hill .............................................................10 11 11 15 — 47
Bluefield.............................................................17 20 12 12 — 61
Three point baskets: OH 2 (Fruit, Jones); BLU 2 (Collier, Yost)