Unique post play

Blackhawk’s Thompson provides physical presence

— Cameron Thompson admits that he’s not the typical high school basketball post player.

Standing only 6-foot 2-inches, the Pea Ridge senior has become accustomed to being inches shorter than the person he’s defending each game.

And if he could have his way, Thompson said he’s not one to plant himself close to the basket and wait for the ball to come his direction.

”I don’t like to stay in that one spot,” he said. “I would rather drive the ball to the bucket and score that way.

”When teams are playing man defense against us, I get that opportunity to drive the ball in the paint.

I don’t like when teams are in zone defenses because I can’t do that.”

However, Thompson still gives the Blackhawks a physical presence inside, and coach Charley Clark knows his senior post plays a big role in Pea Ridge’s 13-3 record and a 3-0 start in 4A-1 Conference play.

”Cameron is a unique player,” Clark said. “He’s always in the gym working on his game or in the weight room, making himself stronger. He may give up height inside each game, but he’s so quick.

”And one of Cameron’s strengths is the fact that he plays so hard and he never takes a play off. I’m always stressing to our players if we work hard, good things will happen.”

Good things did happen to Thompson during the second half of a recent Monday nigh 4A-1 game against Gentry. He scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half and propelled Pea Ridge the victory.

”My teammates were getting the ball to me more in the second half,” he said.

“I was getting good looks at the basket and was able todrive into the paint more.

”It wasn’t my best game, but it was one of my better ones.”

Thompson scored 8 points in the third quarter - six during an 11-0 Pea Ridge run to start the second half - but that wasn’t all. He grabbed several rebounds and even took a charging foul during that stretch.

Clark trusts his senior’s abilities in ball handling and free-throw shooting, too. That’s why Thompson was used in the final minutes of the game to hold the ball near midcourt, hoping to draw a foul.

”Cameron knows he can’t block shots inside because of his height,” Clark said. “But he can take a charge. And while he wasn’t scoring in the first half, he was a catalyst by making plays and getting the ball to our guys on the perimeter.

”Cameron and Kasey Cooper give us a good insideoutside tandem.

Cameron can come out a little bit and shoot a 12-foot jumper if he’s open, but for us to be successful, we need him inside.”

Sports, Pages 7 on 01/19/2011