Briarcrest has another dynamic backcourt brewing
On Monday night, the Saints walked onto the court with a young backcourt that has a chance to be just as great as their last backcourt – Kennedy Chandler and Michael Malone Jr. - that went to back-to-back Division II-AA state title games, winning one in 2018.
Freshmen guards Jaye Nash and Cooper Haynes didn’t play like it was their first varsity game. The both of them looked comfortable for the full 32 minutes. Both players were communicating with their teammates and running plays all the way through.
In all, a dynamic backcourt is brewing.
Nash, a 6-foot-1 point guard, finished with 15 points, 11 assists and five steals in Briarcrest’s 82-53 win over Fayette Academy. Haynes, a 6-3 shooting guard, added 16 points and converted on four 3-pointers.
Nash was very active on both ends of the floor. He’s solid ball handles and court vision. Nash is very quick and has an extra boost in his legs when he’s downhill. Nash loves to drive into the paint. He can finish with contact.
Haynes could be one of the best shooters in the 2024 class. When he has time to get his feet set, Haynes isn’t going to miss. He has a quick shot release and doesn’t have a problem getting his shot off coming off a ball screen.
Nash can score when he wants to but he looks to be a facilitator. Haynes is always looking to be put shots up. Both players are unselfish, which will make this backcourt fun to watch this season.
“I don’t think of them as freshmen, because they have been around here for one year, in practice going against Kennedy (Chandler) every day and going against Marcellus Brigham Marcellus Brigham 6'5" | SF Briarcrest Christian | 2020 State #442 Nation TN Jr. every day,” Saints head coach John Harrington said. “So, yes, they’re freshmen but they’re veterans as far as being out there playing.
“My expectations for them are very, very high. I think they have a chance to be very special players. I think Cooper will be a very special shooter, very good offensive player. Jaye Nash guards like crazy. He plays so hard on defense that we have to take him out every three minutes.”
Cooper and Nash are already off to a great start because they came out in the opening minutes looking to finish the opposing team early. Haynes made two of the team’s five first-quarter 3-pointers. Nash had floaters falling. As a team, Briarcrest was forcing the Vikings into turnovers. The Saints took advantage of those turnovers, turning them into points in transition.
With Cooper and Nash leading the way, Briarcrest is playing like it wants to win a lot of games now instead of taking moral victories.
“These kids think they can win, because they have been around a locker room that has won three region championships in a row,” Harrington said. “So, they expect to win and that’s something that’s hard to teach.”
Honorable mention
Junior guard Jacob Barnes will help the Saints’ offense this season. He can shoot from 3 and knows how to finish at the rim. Barnes has the ability to make the right pass. He had seven points Monday night.
