Boys Basketball: Breathitt buys in for Fayetteville

FAYETTEVILLE -- Josh Breathitt knew there was an opportunity for playing time on the Fayetteville varsity boys basketball team.

So far this season, the Bulldogs' junior has made the most of it.

Breathitt was primarily a junior varsity player as a sophomore, and even had to battle to earn his spot as a starter on that level a year ago. But with a season under his belt, the more mature -- and more physical -- Breathitt saw a window of opportunity this season.

"I didn't really do that well last year, so I had to work harder for it this year," he said. "Whenever I got into the offseason, I had to work on my position and work on my points and rebounds and all of that."

Football players C.J. O'Grady and Drake Wymer were expected to be two of Fayetteville's top big men in the post, after their days in the Class 7A football playoffs ended. In the meantime, Breathitt knew he had a chance to get on the court and impress his coaches.

And that's just what he did.

Breathitt broke onto the scene and showed his desire to be a physical inside presence. While the 6-foot-5 junior at times has shown the skill set of a shooting guard, the team needed him banging with the big guys down low.

"He comes in as a starter before Drake and C.J. come in and you can see his energy pick up," Fayetteville assistant coach Tommy Deffebaugh said. "This guy is our leading rebounder and he was a part-time JV starter last year, so that tells you something.

"As long as Josh keeps his head up and his mind right, he can be something."

Breathitt admits turning his focus on the frontcourt post position was an adjustment, but one he knows has paid off from himself and the Bulldogs (17-5, 5-4 7A-West).

"I worked more on accepting my position, because I really didn't want to play post," Breathitt said. "That's just what I had to accept, so I worked on playing there."

Now with O'Grady and Wymer back in the mix, Fayetteville has one of the most imposing inside games in the 7A-West Conference. And from time to time, Breathitt can be seen working his way outside the paint to knock down the occasional three-point shot.

"The two 3s he hit against Bentonville stick out in my mind, how he was locked in and focused," Deffebaugh said. "Coach (Kyle) Adams and I have no problem with him stepping out and taking a shot, if it's in rhythm and taken at the right time. And right now, he's taking them at the right time."

Breathitt averages 9.2 points per game, second to Payton Willis on the team. Perhaps more impressive is his team-best 6.1 rebound per game average that includes four games with 10 or more boards this season.

Deffebaugh said he didn't expect those numbers out of Breathitt based off last year's performance, but now the big man is needed if Fayetteville hopes to make postseason noise.

"If we play as a team and play like we did against (Fort Smith) Southside and Bentonville, I think we can go far," Breathitt said. "We just have to stay focused and keep playing as a team and I think we'll be alright."

Vernon Tarver can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWAVernon

Sports on 02/13/2015