Zoe Collins Rath
Mar 8, 2022
Chris Fields Jr. and Bernard Fuller Jr., also known as F^2 combined for 37 points, 19 rebounds, and five blocks in Petersburg's 62-57 win over Hopewell in the state semifinal game.
"In my opinion, they're the best bigs combined in this whole area, the 804," said senior guard Kaymeign Lundy.
Petersburg needed both of their bigs in a down to the wire finish that was full of runs and tight point margins. But through the efforts of F^2 stepping up, Petersburg earned themselves a trip to the state finals.
Fuller used his height and length to tip balls in on second-chance shots down below. Fields use his height as well, but his physicality created space to put up the right shot and drew fouls.
Fuller was able to get easy layups because of his height and for calling the ball in a place where a Blue Devil couldn't reach unless they fouled Fuller. The lanky big had great jump shots from the elbow and baseline as well to help keep Petersburg ahead in the game to take early leads. If the Wave was up by two, Fuller's jumpers were there to extend it.
"... The last couple of regional and state games, he's [Fuller] has really picked it up," said Head Coach Ryan Massenburg.
Fuller has been asked to do more by his teammates and now he is performing to his ability in the paint. Slow starts made it harder for Fuller to get out of his funk but now he is peaking at the right time for his team.
"I had to do what I had to do to make the team win," said Fuller.
Fuller continued to have success from the free-throw line and some jumpers as the squads traded points. It was a strong first half for Fuller who had eight points at the half, but in the second half, Fields finished the job.
In the second half, alone Fields had five steals to add from his two in the first half. But the steals got him scoring opportunities to go coast-to-coast or to have assists for the night.
"He started off slow in the first half, but he picked it up in the second half," Massenburg explained.
Fields got a steal in the third quarter and found his partner on the block going with him up the court. With a simple pass through the defense Fields found Fuller whose layup extended the lead 41-38.
Previously against Hopewell, it was hard for Fields to get points because of how hard Hopewell was playing him and Fields' difficulty getting past the defense. But, in this game he got creative with his looks to the basket by using his size to maneuver and make a Blue Devil move.
Fields was double and triple teamed when he got the ball at the elbow but he dribbled into the defense. With enough space he spun to get a jumper or go in for the simple layup by stretching his body. Fields shot 75% from the field as a post player.
"I just started using my body more just because I knew that is one of my strengths so I just had to overpower them," Fields explained.
Even with taking hard contact fouls, Fields was still able to overpower Hopewell and go to the free throw line. Even though Petersburg shot 61% from the line, Fields made his to extend the lead in a game that was tight to the finish.
"I'm so glad to have them...," said Lundy of his two bigs.
There is a reason why the pair work well and can pick up for each other throughout the game. One can get easy tips because of their length, while the other has the power to create space for himself to make easy points. Also, since tonight they seemed to rotate quarters who who was having success, Hopewell seemed to forget to play defense on the other.
"His play is huge because when he playeswell it opened up a lot for Chris on inside," Massenburg explained.
Together, they are F^2 and overpowered Hopewell in the state semifinals game. There will be more to come from the pair as they prepare for the championship game, the last time the duo will compete together in a Petersburg uniform.