FORSYTH COUNTRY DAY FURIES TAKE HOME STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

The Forsyth Country Day boys basketball team capped off their stellar season with a state championship. The Furies finished the season with a 29-3 record and ranked as the #3 team in the state, according to MaxPreps. The coaching staff knew the team was capable of this and the boys went out and made it happen.

After storming through the playoffs, the Furies matched up against Providence Day in the NCISAA 4A state championship game. After a tough battle, the Furies beat the Chargers 69-59, claiming their second state championship in the last three seasons.

The Furies started off the year with 18 consecutive victories and did not suffer a defeat until the second week of January. That great start to the season confirmed what head coach Doug Esleeck and his coaching staff knew prior to the start of the season.

“We knew we had a really talented group and our focus as we were starting to get them together in September was how were all the pieces were going to fit together, so we could be the best team we could possibly be over the course of the season,” said Esleeck.

With such a talented roster, the Furies staff knew many of the players on the team would have to make sacrifices to accomplish their ultimate goal of a championship. Several players knew they wouldn’t get the minutes, shots or opportunities they wanted and deserved, all for the greater good of the team.

“We were fortunate, over the course of the year, that guys really bought into understanding what their role was and how they could help the team and that really culminated in the championship game. That was the best picture of guys just trying to help our team find a way to win. It took us all year to get there but we figured it out at the right time,” Esleeck said.

With the Furies going on such a long winning streak, the coaching staff focused on keeping the guys sharp for each game, knowing they would face their opponent's best effort night in and night out.

“One of the things we talked about as a staff was trying to give the guys different goals,” said assistant coach Joel Oglesby. “We broke the games and sometimes the practices down in segments to give them different things to focus on.  We were always thinking bigger picture and our goals were very clear from the beginning.”

Out of the three losses the Furies suffered this season, two of them came at the hands of Greensboro Day School. The two teams have been two of the better squads in the Triad area over the last few years and every time they match up, it’s a battle.

“I think the first game it was a game we had, but we had some hiccups and I would say we kind of gave them that one,” said assistant coach Andre Gould. “I think we were a bit arrogant in the second game and didn't understand how motivated Greensboro Day was to play us. Over the last three years, we have done a pretty good job of playing them and beating them and I think they were a bit more motivated than we were.

“To be honest with you, I think that was the game that kind of set us straight to get us refocused for the state championship run we had.”

Due to the Furies having a bye as one of the top teams in state, they had an entire week off to start the playoffs. Their first game against Wesleyan Christian Academy was a nail biter, winning by 2 points. 

“I hate those byes; they make me nervous every year,” said Esleeck. “I’d much rather play and be in a rhythm, so I think that was certainly part of why the game was so close. I think our guys were nervous because it was our third time playing them and they are a talented team.”

When it comes to the state championship game, the staff could see and feel their players were somewhat tight coming out of the locker room. Even with the expectation of winning, they knew it was going to be a tough game.

“We started the game missing a few shots that we normally make, including a couple of layups at the rim,” said Oglesby. “They hit some shots that were contrary to the scouting report and we ended up being down 16 to 6 to begin the game. Luckily, we had some veteran guys make a few plays and that kind of calmed us down and got us back in rhythm.

“I think for the last three quarters, we were the Fury team we talked about, the team we prepared to be, and they made those plays, which is a credit to our guys. It was a heavyweight fight and we just outlasted them.”

After securing the championship, the collective thought from the coaching staff was relief. They all echoed it was a long and grueling season and to live up to the expectations was a great feeling.

“You got to understand the pressure of listening to all the hype and trying to block out all the outside noise,” said Gould. “As the season went on, the momentum built, the hype built, and everyone was talking about us. Everyone was waiting for us to get knocked off and it’s tough when you’re the hunted because everyone wants a piece of you.”

The Furies were not a one-man band, as they had contributions from nearly everyone on the roster. Jayon Connor, Ty Graham, Q Williams, AD Dalton, Max Van Weerdhuizen, Prince Nwokemodo, JR Adams, Chris Gomez, Brady Green and several others all made the state championship possible.

Forsyth Country Day is losing a few impact seniors but Coach Esleeck and his staff are confident in the young players they have on the roster who are ready to step into those more prominent roles on the team.

The focus for us this summer and fall is trying to help our young guys on the roster and for them to continue to work and improve,” Esleeck said about his underclassmen. “That will be the thing that will carry us forward and help us take our next step.

“We’ve got some key pieces returning that played a ton but we’ve also got some young guys and all of them have potential and we will need them to step into more important roles. It will be exciting to see who grabs that opportunity and runs with it.”