CANNONSBURG The bar for incoming basketball players at Boyd County has been set so high, Wilt Chamberlain would have a hard time reaching it.
Jacob Spurlock broke region and school scoring records and became one of the 16th Region’s best 3-point shooters, all while under an intense spotlight. He tallied 3,580 career points, eighth on the state’s all-time list, and made 628 3s and even grabbed over 1,000 rebounds.
The number that carries significant weight will be one as he guided the Lions back to the state tournament after they reclaimed their region title from rival Ashland, Spurlock’s first and the program’s first since 2018.
“He has set the bar high for players coming up in the Boyd County program and the area schools around us,” Former Boyd County coach Randy Anderson said. “He was a tremendous shooter and scorer of the basketball, but he also realized the importance of defense, rebounding, screening and the element of communicating. No one spent as much time in the gym and weight room as he did, and he didn’t do it because someone forced or made him do it. He did it because he loves the game and wanted to be the best to ever come out of Boyd County and the 16th Region.”
Spurlock becomes the third Boyd County recipient after The Daily Independent named him the 2025-26 Tony Curnutte Memorial Male Sportsman of the Year.
Anderson said that, in addition to Spurlock’s accolades on the court, he became an inspiration off the floor for his drive and determination.
“I’m biased, but I feel this recognition is going to a young man that has worked extremely hard since he started playing basketball,” Anderson said, “and especially in the last 10 years to achieve personal and team goals. He is coachable and has a personal drive like no other player I have had the opportunity to coach.
“He is an extremely good young man that has been a great example to the young ones in our community and the area,” he added, “concerning discipline, hard work, being humble and being kind to those he has come in contact with both young and old.”
Spurlock seemed destined for Division 1 basketball since he first picked up a basketball. After entertaining many offers, he chose to continue his career as a Penguin at Youngstown State University.
Spurlock followed a region championship and a final contest at Rupp Arena by becoming the Most Valuable Player at the Kentucky-Ohio All-Star Game in June and was a member of the Kentucky All-Star team for the famed Kentucky-Indiana series.
“I’ll always respect him because he was hard-nosed, a competitor, a worker,” Anderson said, “and loved his teammates and his coaches every day.
“He always got his work done in the classroom and with his studies and had the utmost respect for his teachers and for the administration,” he continued. “He was and is a great role model in representing his family, his teammates and his community. We wish him the best as he continues at Youngstown State and we’re looking forward to seeing him positively impact their program, just like he did ours!”
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