Coach Breazeale likes Granbury's hoop chance in 2021-22 season

BY RUSSELL HUFFMAN | Staff Writer 23 hrs ago 

A LITTLE BIT: Coach David Breazeale points out how a little can mean a lot on the basketball court.

Russell Huffman

Granbury High School’s Pirates team hit the hardwood for the first official boys basketball practices of 2021 on Oct. 28, and coach David Breazeale is happy with what he has seen so far.

"I really like the guys we have. Super, super easy to coach kids who want to perform well and be good teammates," Breazeale said. "That is not just 'coach cliche' talk. This group has good and funny personalities. They come to practice in good moods most days, which is rare from the teenage demographic, and they are unselfish. So, character matters in a long season of ups and downs, and I like our chances because of that."

It will be a long, arduous season for Granbury, with District 5-5A opponents Brewer and Aledo returning many of their starters from last year. Breazeale pointed out that Wichita Falls Rider also had a good mix of athletes and skilled basketball players, and Wichita Falls High's strong freshmen class and a couple of big posts make them the darkhorse in the district race.

GHS is returning three starters — Gus Hamlin, Sawyer Schenewark, and Corbin King — but there are no guarantees on a starting role as Breazeale seeks to balance his team with the right mix and rotation.

"I want balance. So, we need point production from bench players, from role players, from multiple ways (off created turnovers, etc.)," Breazeale said. "Somebody will emerge as a scorer that will surprise me."

With a 30-game schedule, Breazeale is looking at keeping 10-12 players on his varsity with opportunities for other players to add themselves to the varsity squad with their performances.

Hamlin is still busy playing football, and it's unclear how many other players will show up for practice next week. Defensive back Dereck Lacy said he was committed to playing basketball earlier this year, and he's a fleet-footed player who can speed up the Pirates' fastbreak offense.

One big difference to start the season will be the high number of road games (5-of-6) that Granbury will be facing this season.

"That is how it played out because most of the non-district teams you play are on a two-year home/road schedule," Breazeale said. "We started with a lot of home games last year."

Does having that many early road games play out as an advantage or disadvantage for the Pirates?

 "I don't know. I think what benefits you most in your non-district schedule is to play against a variety of styles of play to prep you for anything that might come down the pike in district and hopefully playoff competition," Breazeale said.

More than anything, Breazeale wants a team-oriented defense this season.

"Our returners have enough experience to be among our best defenders," Breazeale said. "But our defensive system is based more on individuals understanding our team defensive concepts. We need a team full of intelligent defenders. However, I always need 'that guy' who is assigned to slow down an opponent's star."

Has Breazeale got anyone in mind for that role?

"That ladies and gentlemen is a job where we are taking all applicants and hoping to find a key-role player.... time will tell," Breazeale said.

Granbury will be scrimmaging against Birdville and Chisolm Trail on Nov. 6 and has road games against Saginaw (Nov. 9) and Joshua (11-16). The Pirates first home game will be on Nov. 20 against Kennedale in a 4 p.m. game.