The 2008-2009 Brook Hill Boys Varsity Basketball season will be interesting to say the least.  Many new faces will be representing the Guard in what could prove to be an exciting year.

And it's not just the new faces that look to make a big impact on the blue & orange, several returning players only give 1st year Head Coach Wally Dawkins a real reason to feel positive.

Guard Collin Hanks, the teams lone senior, as well as returning starters Tyler Baker and Mason Spradlin, along with lettermen Colton Townlee and Andre Huang Hsieh, give Dawkins a reason to believe this year could be a good one.

"With Spradlin and Baker, you have the districts Newcomer of the Year for the past two season" Dawkins notes.  I always build my teams from the guards to down inside.  I believe thatyou are only as good as your guards. Both these young men are good players out front  and have valuable experience.  Hanks is a good shooter and is a tough-nosed kid.  He believes he can beat you and that's a real plus.  Colton and Andre give us depth as both kids can shoot and penetrate."

Another returner is 6'6 Heath Dickey, who should provide a big presence inside along with 6'6 transfer Courtney Thomas. "With Heath and Courtney, you have two big-bodies who can bang and do a good job of getting position.  When we use them together, we will play a high-low game, and if we want to play faster, we will let them rest each other.  In our league, having a pair of 6'6 big men can be a real assett."

One of the top players in the East texas area, 6'3 Jeremy Chappell also transferred to Brook Hill, and Dawkins knows first hand what kind of player Chappell is, from battles the two used to have when Dawkins was at Whitehouse, and Chappell at Jacksonville. "I have watched Jeremy play since he was in third grade.  He was always the best player on the floor.  I coached against his uncle Stacy Hunter when he played at J'ville, and Jeremy has Stacy's abiltity and desire to win. He is just a little leaner and quicker. We will probably use Jeremy inside and outside."

Although still feeling his way around in the new system at Brook Hill, Dawkins has been impressed thus far. 

"I am impressed with the leadership of this school, the vision, the facilities, but most of all, what great kids we have.  They work hard, are coachable, and are eager to please.  They are just like so many of the kids I coached at Whitehouse.  It is so refreshing to work in this type of environment.  We want the basketball program at Brook Hill to be the best it can be.  For that to happen, our players have to be at their best, both on and off the court.  That's where I come in.  We want to be fundamentally sound, play hard, and play together while being good students and good citizens"

This years schedule includes out of town trips to the Huntington Tournament, the Abilene Lions Club Tourney, and The Arlington Oak Ridge Tourney.  District play begins January 3rd at Lake Hill.

The Brook Hill Basketball program offers Varsity, JV(9th), and two Middle School Campus teams.  Dawkins along with assistants Neill Franklin and Austin Reed will coach the teams.