Brady Lawson couldn’t recall being part of a basketball team that worked as hard as Science Hill this past offseason.
The number seven still comes up in practice, as in the amount of games Science Hill won the entire 2022-23 season. The Hilltoppers have eclipsed that total with their current win streak alone. They’ve won eight straight games to improve to 15-9 overall while leading the Big Four Conference.
“In the spring after the season, we were in the weight room every day working,” Lawson recalled. “I think as a team it’s definitely fueled us. Just how the tables have turned, it’s really shown us what’s possible.”
Lawson became a starter midway through his sophomore year, helping Science Hill win the inaugural District 1-4A tournament and reach the sectional round. It ended up being the final season at Science Hill for longtime coach Ken Cutlip.
While the Hilltoppers struggled most of last season, they found some momentum late with three straight wins — including a 21-point triumph at West Ridge and a two-point stunner over reigning 3A champion Greeneville.
This season, Lawson and his teammates have grown more comfortable with coach Jon Higgins’ approach, which involves more help-related principles on defense with a motion offense.
But leadership has been equally important for the Hilltoppers, and Lawson has taken on that role at point guard.
“I feel like we’ve all developed not only as players, but as leaders and that’s really what we needed last year,” Lawson said.
LAYING DOWN THE LAW(SON)
Scoring has been a family tradition for the Lawsons, and Brady is no different. His 14.6 points per game lead the Hilltoppers.
His dad, Jesse, and uncle, Ryan, both played guard at Cherokee High School. Ryan, the Chiefs’ all-time leading scorer, went on to play at ETSU.
“When I was about 10, I started playing travel ball with (Ryan),” Brady said. “I was in the gym down there at Cherokee three times a week working out. That’s really when I started to develop a work ethic. I just kept improving to where I’m at now.”
His rebounding has improved dramatically, as he’s averaging about two more boards per game this season, currently sitting at 4.3 a night. Lawson is shooting 44% from the floor and 82% from the free-throw line. His 25 steals are tied with Mason Wood for the team high, and his 2.4 assists per game rank second only to Oliver Peterson’s 3.5.
KEEP IT UP
Lawson and company have had a few days to rest after last week's road wins at Daniel Boone, Dobyns-Bennett, West Ridge and Greeneville. Thus, he’s had a little more time to enjoy Fortnite, NBA 2K and Madden on his Xbox whenever he’s not in the gym.
But he’ll be ready when the Hilltoppers welcome D-B to Johnson City on Friday.
“It meant a lot to win (at D-B), but they’re going to come in here Friday hungry, so we’ll be prepared to have a dogfight just like it was as their place,” Lawson said.
For now, he’s leaving his options open for after he graduates from Science Hill, though he does hold a basketball offer from Pfeiffer University.
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