Brazoswood High boys’ basketball coach Trent Olivier wants hoops fever to be contagious around the Clute, Texas school.
“Our motto is ‘change the culture,’ and every day we work toward doing that,” Olivier told Texas Scorecard. “We’re not known for basketball here at Brazoswood, but we think we have what it takes to change that. This is just my second year here and people are becoming really excited about the program. Our crowds this season are already much larger than they were even last year.”
After winning 19 games last season, the Buccaneers are off to an 8-6 start this season and Olivier is hoping the best is still yet to come.
“The kids are really buying in and doing all the things we’ve asked of them, starting with always playing hard,” said Olivier, who lost eight seniors from last year’s squad. “I’ve got 13 kids this year with no varsity-level experience, but they’re really getting after it.”
Senior guards Tyler Andrews and Jayvien Thomas set the tone for the Buccaneers, averaging 14 and 10 points, respectively.
“Tyler is a strong shooter and probably our best ballhandler, while Jayvien is a solid defender and rebounder,” he said. “He’s just one of those guys that just does everything right and is a great leader who does so by example.”
On 6-foot-3 sophomore forward Jake Simpson, who averages 7 points and 5 rebounds, rides the Buccaneers’ future, Olivier said.
“He’s good now, will only get better, and by the time he’s a senior should be one of the best around if he keeps working,” he added. “For Jake, the sky’s the limit.”
But for now, all Olivier’s attention is focused on the here and now and making the Buccaneers the best they can be.
“We could easily have 12 wins or so,” he said. “We’ve lost some really close battles, but that just tells you how hard the kids are battling and trying to establish ourselves.”
