SF William Buford (Big Ten Frosh of the Year)

[osugrad21]

Blade

Article published Monday, March 10, 2008
Buford fouls out but Libbey teammates wrap up win, head for state semifinals


Lexington's Ben Boerner, left, competes under the basket with Libbey's William Buford, center, and Julius Wells.
( THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT )


By STEVE JUNGA
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

BOWLING GREEN - The lead Cowboy was knocked out of the saddle a few times by foul trouble yesterday at Anderson Arena, and then he made an early exit in the boys Division II regional basketball championship. But, by game's end, fourth-ranked Libbey had more than enough firepower left to take a 65-51 victory over Lexington and earn the school's fourth trip to the state semifinals. Ohio State-bound star William Buford topped Libbey (23-2) with 20 points despite played just 21 minutes and fouling out with 2:49 left and his team up 53-44.

Cont...

[Buckskin86]

Article published Monday, March 10, 2008
Buford has the look of royalty


BOWLING GREEN - It wasn't easy being William Buford yesterday at Anderson Arena. And we're not even talking about the officiating.

It took Buford about 45 minutes to make his way off the court following Libbey's 65-51 win over Lexington in the Division II regional championship game.

He took his turn at cutting down the nets, gave every TV station its own sound bite, and answered questions from every old man with a notepad and a pen. Then he worked the ropes that were holding fans back at the side of the court.

You had to see it to believe it. Little kids shrieked for autographs. One guy wanted Buford's signature on his shirt. An old lady wanted a hug. So did a teenage girl, which Buford seemed to find more to his liking. Dozens of folks brought out their camera-phones and asked him to pose with a friend or family member. It went on and on.

"It's OK," Buford said. "Whatever they want."

What they wanted was to touch or be touched. Buford may not be King James, but the fans treat him like royalty, fully aware that they are in the presence of someone special.

How special? Well, Jimmy Jackson is the standard by whom all Toledo high school basketball players are judged. And Libbey coach Leroy Bates has been around long enough to know just what that standard means.

"If we win the state championship, then I'd say he would rank right up there with Jimmy," Bates said. "You know, William scored his 2,000th point today. Not many players in the city have done that."

toledoblade.com -- Buford has the look of royalty

[RB07OSU]

Yet again my Falcons will face a future Buckeye...I'm going to try my best to get off work to go watch the game. I have no idea why the state semi-final game would be played at 10:45 a.m. ?

[crazybuckfan40]

because they have to clear the gym after each game and if they started later, the games wouldn't end till like midnight...

I should be in attendance and if not the games will all be on STO live...

Should be a good game...Very excited to see Buford live again...Also Graham is going to be a good test for He and Libbey...

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by RB07OSU

Yet again my Falcons will face a future Buckeye...I'm going to try my best to get off work to go watch the game. I have no idea why the state semi-final game would be played at 10:45 a.m. ?

I think the moderators should think about banning you if your Falcons keep on beating our future Buckeye's teams. At least you could not beat Benedictine. You left that up to some other team.

I will be interested in seeing Buford play because I saw JJ live when he played in high school and he was more of a power player for the lack of a better description. He had a nice jump shot out to 18' but he basically controlled the game on the inside. In addition, he was a very good ball handler and passer.

[osugrad21]

BN--Third Quarter Surge Pushes Toledo Libbey Past Lexington

[crazybuckfan40]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

I think the moderators should think about banning you if your Falcons keep on beating our future Buckeye's teams. At least you could not beat Benedictine. You left that up to some other team.

I will be interested in seeing Buford play because I saw JJ live when he played in high school and he was more of a power player for the lack of a better description. He had a nice jump shot out to 18' but he basically controlled the game on the inside. In addition, he was a very good ball handler and passer.

Buford's midrange game is what I really like...He isn't a 3 or layup/dunk type of guy...He takes midrange jumpers often...Yeah it is not flashy at times, but that is an art that is going away and only makes a player that much more dangerous, when they can pump fake, one dribble and hit the jumper, or pull up in transition instead of taking it inside where the trees are...He also gets to the line...

[RB07OSU]

Originally Posted by crazybuckfan40

because they have to clear the gym after each game and if they started later, the games wouldn't end till like midnight...

I should be in attendance and if not the games will all be on STO live...

Should be a good game...Very excited to see Buford live again...Also Graham is going to be a good test for He and Libbey...

I see...still I would think 4 o'clock would work out ok? Or play the games at seperate venues or on a weekend day. I just know some parents of the players are having to get off work and one in particular might get in trouble, as ridiculous as it seems. Anyways, I will definetly be there now and can't wait to see Buford play. It should be a great game and it hinges on how good the rest of their team is. Alter gave Graham more trouble than Winchester because they had a better 5 on the court than Winchester. In any event, I can't wait to see how they match up...and don't ban me, as I will be rooting for Bufford as well as my Falcons

[jwinslow]

3 days (thur-sat), 4 games a day, 10:45, 2:00, 5:15, 8:30. I'm guessing it would be much more expensive to have multiple locales.

[osugrad21]

Blade

Team gives Libbey positive mind-set
Winning source of pride for students


"L" is for Libbey for Cowboys, from front left, Jessica Wojciechowski, Jasmine Boyd, Dionna Rose, and Ikeya Birdsong; second row, Dannielle Gonzalez, Cierra Smith and Lauren Cook, and back, Alfred Gardner II and Quvondo Davis.
( THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER )
Zoom | Photo Reprints

By JOE VARDON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Among the many things the Libbey boys basketball team will play for tomorrow in its Division II state semifinal game, one item is bragging rights. Not for the team itself, so much, but for the school's student body in general. "A lot of people think Libbey is a bad school and only bad people go here," said Jessica Wojciechowski, a senior at the school and a big Cowboy hoops fan. "But with the team winning, it brings a positive spotlight on us where people can see we get good educations and have good sports teams too."

Cont...

[shetuck]

Springfield News-Sun: Libbey led to semis by Ohio State Recruit

STATE SEMIFINALS
Libbey led to semis by Ohio State recruit

Senior-laden Cowboys look forward to playing Graham in D-II matchup.

By Michael Cooper
Staff Writer

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

[...]

The Cowboys use an eight-man rotation with seven seniors, including 6-foot-5 senior guard William Buford, who will play at Ohio State.

Buford, the 19th-rated player on the college basketball recruiting site Rivals.com, averages 23 points, 10.6 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. He's scored 2,009 points in his Cowboys career.

"You get a player like Buford once in a lifetime," Bates said. "He's a great person, not just a great basketball player. He's been a real treat to coach."

cont'd...

[Buckskin86]

Lex conqueror William Buford named Mr. Basketball winner
The Associated Press

COLUMBUS ? Ask Toledo Libbey coach Leroy Bates what makes William Buford so special and his answer couldn?t be simpler.

?He makes the players around him better,? Bates said.

That?s an obvious reason why Buford is the 2008 Associated Press Mr. Basketball award winner.

The 6-foot-5 Buford is a blend of muscle and flash. He can drive the lane and dunk, shoot from the perimeter or contest a rebound among the trees inside.

Asked what basketball player he looked up to as a young kid, the Libbey senior said, ?Oh, it was Michael Jordan. He could do everything. He could pass, play defense, shoot, rebound ? he was an all-around player.?

Such is the case with the Cowboys? shooting star. He averaged 22.9 points, 11.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists a game during the regular season while collecting his third consecutive Toledo City League player of the year award. He shot 62 percent from the field, 46 percent on 3-pointers and 77 percent at the line.

No wonder Ohio State coach Thad Matta, who successfully recruited Buford, is a big fan.

?William is a very gifted offensive player, can score in a variety of ways, can shoot the ball, can handle the ball, drives it and has a step-back (shot),? Matta said. ?It?s good because of his size. He?s 6-5, long, just really has a great scorer?s mind. He?s very productive.?

Buford isn?t all about highlight-reel stuffs. He?s a hard worker, on and off the court. He carries a 3.2 grade-point average and is ready to compete for playing time with the Buckeyes right away.

His mother and father, who work in a factory, keep him in line, as does his 20-year-old brother, Ryan. Asked how he got along with his 15-year-old sister, Simone, Buford laughed and said, ?She?s my heart.?

In his spare time, like most kids, he likes to hang around with his friends and play video games.

Buford is one of the most respected kids in the school, Bates said.

?He?s not a loud, boisterous kind of person. You don?t see him out in the halls doing all that kind of nonsense,? he said. ?He?s always friendly toward everybody, quiet, moving on to his classes. Then when somebody wants to talk to him, he?s very accessible and joking. He?s just a well-rounded individual.?

Buford narrowly won the award, a plaque in the shape of Ohio, over future Ohio State teammate B.J. Mullens, a 7-1 center out of Canal Winchester. Other candidates included 6-9 University of Cincinnati recruit Yancy Gates of Withrow, 7-0 Kenny Frease of Massillon Perry and 5-9 point guard Anthony Hitchens of Chillicothe.

Past winners of the award include former Toledo Macomber, Ohio State and NBA star Jimmy Jackson, who won it twice, and three-time winner LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The News Journal - www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com - Mansfield, OH

Buford joins prestigious list of Mr. Basketball winners
The Associated Press

2008 ? William Buford, Toledo Libbey, 6-foot-5, senior. Averaged 22.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, 5.6 assist a game. Led team to state semifinals in Division II and a 23-2 record. Three-time Toledo City League player of the year. McDonald?s All-American. Shot 62 percent from the field, 46 percent on 3-pointers and 77 percent at the line. 2,000 career points. Signed with Ohio State.

The News Journal - www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com - Mansfield, OH

[crazybuckfan40]

I was wondering when this was going to be awarded...Very excited for Buford...He is well deserving of this award as was BJ...

Butler
Diebler
Buford

This makes 3 of the last 4 mr. basketballs to come to tOSU...

The steak might break next year unless Wright, or Sullinger win it as juniors...

[bucknut11]

Originally Posted by crazybuckfan40

I was wondering when this was going to be awarded...Very excited for Buford...He is well deserving of this award as was BJ...

Butler
Diebler
Buford

This makes 3 of the last 4 mr. basketballs to come to tOSU...

The steak might break next year unless Wright, or Sullinger win it as juniors...

3 of 5

2008 William Buford Toledo Libbey
2007 Jon Diebler Upper Sandusky
2006 Raymar Morgan Canton McKinley
2005 Jamelle Cornley Columbus Brookhaven
2004 Jamar Butler Lima Shawnee

[crazybuckfan40]

Originally Posted by bucknut11

3 of 5

2008 William Buford Toledo Libbey
2007 Jon Diebler Upper Sandusky
2006 Raymar Morgan Canton McKinley
2005 Jamelle Cornley Columbus Brookhaven
2004 Jamar Butler Lima Shawnee

I thought Mayo won it in 2005, 2006...