Full Court Feature: Brookwood boys hoops has big plans for the season ahead
The Brookwood boys basketball team is 19-1 on the year, the result of a lot of hard work, and a special bond they’re hoping takes them a long way.
They’re also one of the top teams in the state in GIAA hoops, and they’re hearing the chatter, and they’re thriving off it. Part of that chatter comes from a big win, capped off by two big dunks, over city foe Thomasville last Saturday night.
“I start running, and I see it’s two one one, and he kind of looks back at me,” recalled center Walker Jackson of the first dunk.
“I wasn’t expecting him to throw it up like a lob like that, but when it went up, I thought oh, he’s going to dunk that,” laughed sophomore Levi Williams.
Dunk that he did.
“It was easily probably the greatest moment being a part of Brookwood,” said Williams.
“It’s in Thomasville, everybody knows everybody,” added Jackson. “You’re playing not just for you, you’re playing for your school and bragging rights.”
Back to back jams led to bragging rights for a Brookwood program that people are paying attention to.-
“You want to be at a place where you’re wanted,” said head coach Nate VanDuyne. “For teams, you want to be at a place where people care, where the community cares, where there’s buy-in, where there’s investment.”
In his third season as head coach of the Warriors, VanDuyne has the Warriors where he wants them.
“We know who we are. We are about growth, we are about relationship, and we are about victory and we don’t hide that.”
The growth has led to the victories, but it all starts with Brookwood’s bond.
“You go through many tough games and tough times together,” said Williams. “I think that’s what builds a real friendship. I think that’s what kind of separates our bond.”
It’s even closer after falling short of their goals last season. Brookwood lost just one senior off last year’s 26-3 Elite Eight team, adding fuel to the fire for a big finish this season.
“Our guys understand how special this is, so they’re not only fighting to continue to make it better, but we’re also fighting to preserve it and make sure it continues on a day to day basis,” said VanDuyne.
“It just all individually motivated everyone to be better and to be more hardworking in the offseason to reach our final goal, which is to win a state championship,” said Williams.
That’s something that’ll get this community talking a little more.
“It’s all in the back of our minds,” said Jackson. “It’s something we want to accomplish.”
The Warriors have about three weeks left in the regular season. They’ll look to defend their region title before making a run at the program’s first boys basketball state championship since 2008.
Brookwood School
Located in Thomasville, GA, Brookwood School is a private school for grades JK-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.