Michael Fitzhugh

Barry Faulkner

As part of his pregame preparation, Michael Fitzhugh likes to

meditate and visualize the things he hopes to make happen on the

basketball court. He terms it “coming to center.”

Center, however, is just one of the positions at which the

versatile 6-foot-3 senior has helped Sage Hill School. For though he

is the Lightning’s best post player, first-year coach Steve Keith

recently elected to shift his top scorer and rebounder to point

guard.

“We wanted to run our offense through Michael, but we were

stalling before we could get it to him,” Keith said. “We needed to

put the ball in his hands, so we moved our primary scorer to the

point. It’s probably not the most efficient way to play, but we feel

it’s a better way for us. It’s not too often you have your best post

player playing the point.”

Keith said utilizing Fitzhugh’s ball-handling skills, athleticism,

court sense and unselfishness at point guard, give his team a better

chance at success as it opens the Academy League season Friday.

“He’s so outstanding in so many facets of the game, we felt like

we needed to exploit his strengths as much as we could,” Keith said.

“He is the pin that pricks the bubble. Having him bring the ball

up the court is such a pressure release for us. So many teams have

pressured us, double-teamed and trapped. But if you do that against

Mike, he’s big and strong enough to handle it. He also trusts that if

he gives the ball up, he’s going to get it back. He does a nice job

of being our go-to guy without forcing it.”

Fitzhugh, whose powerful 205-pound frame and surprising quickness

help him create and finish shots off amid inside traffic,

acknowledges he must carry a large share of the load to help his team

win. But he is also wise enough to realize a point guard’s role

requires keeping his teammates involved.

The Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week scored 21 of his team’s first

23 points to help Sage take command in the second quarter, en route

to a 70-37 nonleague win over visiting Rio Contiguo Friday. He added

eight points in the third quarter to finish with a game-high 29,

while also collecting 13 rebounds, five assists and three blocked

shots. He made 9 of his final 12 field-goal attempts to finish 12 of

20 from the field and netted 5 of 6 free throws. He scored 35 points

in a victory over El Monte the game before Rio Contiguo and he also

has a 34-point game this season.

“When you start thinking you need to have the best game of your

life, that’s when you put pressure on yourself and you don’t

perform,” Fitzhugh said. “I’m a strong believer in team chemistry and

the best way for me to relate to my teammates and make us a better

basketball team is to get them the ball.”

Fitzhugh said he relishes the chance to play the point, a role he

has performed at various time during his lengthy basketball career,

which includes playing for a traveling club team.

“I love basketball and I’d be happy to play any position in order

to help the team,” Fitzhugh said. “But I enjoy point guard the most,

because I can create more. I believe it lets me have a bigger

influence, both in creating my own shots and shots for my teammates.”

Heading into Friday’s league opener against visiting Brethren

Christian, Fitzhugh is averaging 22.6 points and 9.9 rebounds. He has

led the Lightning (4-8) in scoring in eight of the 11 games he has

played.

Though focused on education and interested in pursuing a career in

the field of psychology, Fitzhugh said basketball is the biggest

thing in his life.

“My Mom jokes about it that I’ve been playing basketball since I

could walk,” Fitzhugh said. “Some of my earliest memories are of

playing basketball and it has always been a passion of mine. Any time

I was frustrated, I’d play basketball and it would make me happy. It

seemed to be a medication for me. I’m thankful that I’ll have that

all my life.”