Columbus City League Preview: Briggs Bruins
Columbus City League Team Preview Zero seconds left on the clock, Briggs is down by 3, head coach Tony Rice is drenched in sweat, he has not sat down since tip-off and his step counter is at 356, it is…
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Continue ReadingZero seconds left on the clock, Briggs is down by 3, head coach Tony Rice is drenched in sweat, he has not sat down since tip-off and his step counter is at 356, it is only halftime.
This is his coaching life, build up players from the westside of Columbus (some may not even know Briggs’ exists), have them gain experience and then let them play. The only question is can the Briggs Bruins get to and play in the city championship game?
In his 10th season at his high school alma mater, Rice has built his program into his image, a hard-nose team who will scratch and claw their way through a game against a team with more talent. To no one’s surprise, Rice and his Bruins pull off more upsets than any other team in the Columbus City League’s south division.
With his leader and best player Dominic Farley graduating, Rice understands that his team will be shaped differently this upcoming season. He believes Javion Williams will be his best player next season and Richie Davis should accompany him and become one of the best duos in the city.
Both Davis and Williams played in less than 16 games with Williams showing flashes of scoring ability, averaging over 14 points per game in the games he played.
The biggest thing with every Tony Rice coached team is confidence, “with confidence you can accomplish anything,” he says. And he instills confidence in every one of his players, letting them shoot their shot, if it’s open, from anywhere and at any time. His philosophy on that being he will never be mad at a player for taking a shot they’ve proven they can hit.
Along with the departure of Farley, the Bruins will also lose key contributors Andrew Grubbs and Jacob Cash. Grubbs put up nearly 15 points per game last season, while Cash provided size and versatility for the Briggs defense.
There are five 2021 graduates for this team entering the new season (whatever kind of season we get), so expect this squad to understand what it takes to finish and win games. Mauricio Diaz and Devonte Curry expect to an uptick in there scoring as well. Diaz put up close to eight points per game in his limited games, but with a season-high of 18 he has proven he can score if needed.
“Championship isn’t the goal, it’s growing,” Rice says concerning his goals for not only this season, but every season, “build these young men up and let them play.”
The only question now is, can Coach Tony Rice take his high school alma mater back to the heights that he enjoyed as a player? This season, with the experience, the grit, and him not being able to sit down is as good a chance as any season.