FARMINGTON — Life with Jason Purdy in the lineup has been good for Farmington boys basketball over the past three seasons. So good, in fact, that Cardinals’ coach Beau Thompson can’t imagine the day when Purdy is gone. Or maybe he just doesn’t want to.
“I’ve been extremely spoiled as a coach to have Jason as a floor general for the past three years,” Thompson said. “If I could clone one of him every year, we would have a winning season every year.”
As Farmington’s only returning starter off last year’s state semifinalist team that fi nished 30-4, Purdy has been asked to step up his game both on and off the floor. But stepping up and taking charge has neverbeen a problem for the 6-foot-1 point guard.
As a junior, Purdy emerged for the Cardinals from a situational reserve as a sophomoreinto the NWA Media Newcomer of the Year last season. And now his game is only getting better, as Purdy has helped Farmington start out 16-4 this season, including a perfect 7-0 mark in the 4A-1 Conference. “I do feel like I’ve had to lead more this season,” Purdy said. “But we’ve got four other seniors on this team starting and they all do their part.”
Purdy’s ability to score in critical times in a game is justone aspect of his all around play that makes him so valuable for the Cardinals. While he averages 16.3 points per game, Purdy isn’t your typical point guard, adding 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game as well.
“He posts up a little bit when we need him to and he creates such a matchup problem for other teams,” Thompson said. “Between him and Kendall Buchanan, about 90 percent of our shots go through those two guys.”
Purdy has just one goal in mind this season. After Farmington advanced to the state semifinals in March before falling 60-57 to eventual state champion Jonesboro Westside, Purdy’s goal is clear.
“I don’t care who gets the points, who makes the shot or whatever,” Purdy said. “I just want to win. We’re definitely hungry this year and we want to get back to the tournament and do better than we did last year.”
Sports, Pages 12 on 01/26/2011