With expectations high, Norris hopes to quiet the noise before tip off against Upper Arlington

The following story was written by a student on the staff of The Jaguar Times as part of Hilliard Bradley High School’s Journalism Production course.

Coach Brett Norris and his Boys Basketball team will face Upper Arlington on December 8 for the home opener to this season. Photo courtesy of Austin Weitz.

by Maxwell Lowe 

Video Editor 

Bradley Basketball is underway! Leading up to the home opener, Jaguars everywhere have high expectations based on last year’s success in the district tournament. I sat down with boys varsity basketball coach, Brett Norris, to talk about the season ahead.

Q: Being so highly ranked going into the season, what are you looking forward to? What is something that has set your team apart?

A: Anytime there are rankings like that, part of it is what you've been in the past.

So anytime people think highly of us going into the season is probably more a direct reflection of the accomplishments and the success we've had in the past. I think all of that is fun for fans. You know, honestly as a coach, you hope that your kids and your team don't buy into any of that. I think it makes it tougher, puts a bit of a target on our back… I'd rather it be that way, but it's nothing that we pay any attention to. Our message is we've got to continue to put in the work and that's where I think that this particular group has had a great offseason. If you go back to last April all the way to now, I'm really proud of the work that they've put in. I think that they've set us up for potentially having a season that can be special.

Q: Diving deeper into your team, what is the culture like? What is different from years past?

A: Well, our core values are together with passion, grit and honor. Honestly, year to year that's who we want to be. Core values and culture are such buzzwords now in sports, but we really truly try to live it. Particularly with six seniors when you have that kind of experience and guys that have invested in the program, which all six of those guys played in our travel program when we got the job. So they truly have been a group that's come up from the 3rd grade. I would like to say they embody those four values as much as any group we've had. A part of it is you know whatever the outcome is on game night, you know that part of it's really truly the essence of what we're trying to do and to educate our young men through basketball. So I’m really pleased that they've embodied those works.

Q: Diving into you more personally, what are some things that you look forward to year to year? And more specifically how do you think you've grown as a coach?

A: Yeah, I always look forward to the challenge of putting together a team. I think that's never been more difficult. I think it's the way young people grow up with social media, comparing [themselves] to one another. Sometimes I think there can be a little bit more ego and selfishness directed towards a kid's participation in sport. I think the challenge of really, truly trying to build a culture and an environment where young people are willing to sacrifice and put whatever their own individual wants and needs are assigned for the betterment of the group. That real building of a team, nothing excites me more than that challenge. For me personally, this is the 30th year, 25th year as a head coach, my 10th year here at Bradley. I think the beauty of coaching is even at my age, you can continue to learn and to grow. Between the staff and this group of players, I'm just particularly excited and honored to be a part of that... motivating me from day-to-day to do whatever my small role is in the program.

Q: Looking forward to your first home game, what do you want fans to know?

A: As you mentioned, we're really excited about our season. So there's always a unique feeling about the first game, about any season. I know our guys are really excited about it too. And then Friday, we've built quite a home court advantage here and I hope that particularly our students will come out and support a team that I think will be enjoyable to watch. It’s not only our home opener, it's our league opener. So next Friday with Upper Arlington is a really big game for us.

Bradley takes on Upper Arlington tonight in the Jungle. Come and support your jags throughout the winter season!