— By Taylor Kennedy
FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Fairmont Senior’s boys basketball program is known to produce high-level collegiate talent.
Since 2015, the Polar Bears have enjoyed a wealth of success, appearing in seven state title games to go with three championships.
In the process, there have been numerous all-state selections during that stretch, including Zyon Dobbs, currently a senior guard at Fairmont State.
Dobbs is in his third season playing for head coach Tim Koenig in his hometown.
The senior guard has enjoyed a consistent career as a Falcon and recently surpassed the 1,000-point mark for his career.
“It is a big accomplishment, especially here in my hometown with everyone around,” Dobbs said. “It is a great accomplishment, but there are more things to build on and get better at.”
The Falcons (21-6, 16-5) begin play next week in the Mountain East Conference Tournament in Wheeling. Fairmont State is tied with Charleston for second in the league standings and looking to win its second MEC conference title in three seasons.
The Falcons are also striving to get back to the NCAA Division Tournament for the fifth straight season.
“We are meeting expectations and doing what we are supposed to do. We are not satisfied with second place,” Dobbs said. “We want to do bigger things, especially winning the MEC Tournament. We are in a great spot by playing well.”
Dobbs has been pivotal to solving Koenig’s puzzle this season as the team’s primary ball handler.
His assist-to-turnover ratio has improved to 2.1, putting Dobbs at fourth in the MEC. The former Polar Bear is tied for second in the league with an average of 5.3 assists and adds 11.6 points on a team with five players averaging double-figure scoring.
“I have been more of a leader with my bigger role with handling the ball more than my first season,” Dobbs said. “My assist numbers have increased each season progressively. I am doing a better job at distributing the ball and keeping everybody together.”
However, the 6-foot-4 guard is not content with his game, which has sparked a different approach to his mentality for the remainder of the season.
“I need to keep playing as hard as I can, which includes rebounding,” Dobbs said. “That is one aspect that I can help the team out with as well. It is on everybody. If I increase my rebounding numbers, then it will benefit everybody.”
This season has also shed new light for Dobbs on how to impact those around him.
“We have younger guys that look up to me, and if they are looking up to me, then I need to set a great example,” Dobbs said. “I need to set a great example for them because they are coming up that way. They can be great. I have been taking guys under my wing and speaking out whenever needed. That has helped by being real with people.”
Dobbs transferred back home following one season at James Madison when he appeared in 17 games with the Dukes.
When he decided to leave, Koenig took a chance on him, and Dobbs has not taken anything for granted in his three years as a Falcon.
“Communication has always been there, and he wants me to take a bigger role,” Dobbs recalled. “He talks with me more often than before. He shows love and keeps it real. He is a great coach, and I love everything about playing for TK.”
Dobbs has also grown more appreciative of playing in front of his family and friends consistently. His younger brother Lychees Dobbs is a standout at Fairmont Senior and made the game-winning shot against Shady Spring in last year’s Class AAA title game.
“It means a lot to me because I have everybody behind me. My family is here, and I get to see my brother play,” Dobbs said. “It is fun because the love is there from the same people I had in high school until now.”