Brentwood-McGavock Five Lessons

Andrew Force November 16, 2021 @ 04:26 PM

Brentwood won the first quarter 25-4! For McGavock it did not get any better.

No Windley, No Problem?

For the first time in seemingly a decade, Brentwood is not blessed with a Windley in the backcourt. What now? Grayson Collins Grayson Collins 5'11" | PG Battle Ground Academy | 2024 State TN is really, really good at basketball and, most excitingly for Head Coach Troy Bond, Collins is only a sophomore. Facing McGavock’s pressure, which often tried to trap out high, Grayson calmly made exceptional decisions. He made penetrating bounce passes, slashed on his own, drew defenders, and more.

Grayson found his way around traps and any extended pressure with a quicker than most driving of the legs. His speed with the ball is good, likely to eventually be great. Think young Reed Kemp (Franklin ’21).

New Names

Standing 6-foot-1, freshman Nick Degnan Nick Degnan 6'2" | PG Independence | 2025 State TN earned his first career start.

McGavock ran out one underclassman in Trevor Harvey Trevor Harvey 6'1" | PG Siegel | 2024 State TN . The sophomore took his first shot of the night about a minute in, clanging off the back rim. The loft was lovely. Will he be able to knock that shot down regularly? What kind of player will he be? Hopefully a volume scorer. The lefty moves well and defends the 1-2 positions. Harvey has a little cheerleader in him, despite giving up some age and varsity experience to his mates. The team needs on-court leadership. There is some natural strength to the young guard and if he invests in the weight room, he might be a challenging undertaking for defenders.

William Stockoff scored two points and probably will play very limited minutes this season. Still, Stockoff earned PT for a strong Brentwood team as a 15 year old.

Free

Brentwood wore the free throw line out with their constant usage.

Davis White Davis White 6'3" | SG Brentwood | 2022 State TN , Collins, and the Bruins made it a habit to get to the free throw line, a habit that haunted the offensively impotent Raiders, and made any wishes of coming back from their early deficit unlikely.

Also, free throw trips allowed Brentwood to completely control the pace of the game. McGavock was interested in trapping and forcing Brentwood into uncomfortable positions. Basically, the goal appeared to be rattle them, wear them out.

And Brentwood was able to score in the halfcourt and also rest at the free throw line. It was a sparkling performance start to finish.

Penetrate and Pass

Brentwood’s guards easily jutted into the lane. Constantly. With the threat of probing the pack more, often Jake Brock Jake Brock 5'11" | SG Brentwood (football) | 2022 State TN and Grayson Collins Grayson Collins 5'11" | PG Battle Ground Academy | 2024 State TN kicked for the open three-point attempt. Grayson, as a shooter, was electric Tuesday night.

Constantly Bruins moved the basketball with sharp passes. This movement, sharp movement, really enabled them to take open or more open shots. Defenders adjusted slowly sometimes, but most of the credit belongs to the passers.

Soon to Return

Brentwood’s rotation will definitely be a little different than it was Tuesday evening, as three dual-sport athletes returned recently to the basketball team.

Daniel Cochran Daniel Cochran 6'7" | SF Brentwood | 2024 State TN , Davis White Davis White 6'3" | SG Brentwood | 2022 State TN , Jake Brock Jake Brock 5'11" | SG Brentwood (football) | 2022 State TN , and Kyler Green Kyler Green 6'3" | SF Brentwood (football) | 2023 State TN are all football players and had their first practice on Monday. They did not start yesterday though they did play plenty.

That will change.

Daniel will challenge for District MVP. Davis played fabulous Tuesday with the ability to trap with long, threatening, waving arms disrupting passing lanes. Oh, and he scored 18 points.

Brentwood High plays Friday night against LaVergne.

McGavock hunts their first win Friday night at Rockvale High and then begins their home campaign at Hillwood High Tuesday.