HOOPS: Bradford boys ready for region run

Playing in District 14-A is no easy task with perennial powerhouses like Union City and Humboldt, but this year, Bradford boys basketball coach John Glisson feels his team can compete with the top teams.

“Our returning players are more athletic than in the past,” Glisson said. “I am not saying that we haven’t had good players, but our athleticism is better top to bottom.”

Seniors Kobe Eddings, Marquez Pirtle and Parker Berlekamp are the leaders and those key returners for the Red Devils.

“Our three seniors were forced in as freshmen due to injuries,” Glisson said. “Berlekamp and Eddings are coaches’ kids, and they are smart and understand the game.”

But the question for Glisson before the school year started was depth, but that question seems to have been answered.

“I thought we had a chance to be good, but depth was a concern,” he said. “We had three kids come into the program that we weren’t expecting, including two from Dyer. The addition of those three covered that depth hole.”

Two of those that entered the program are the Roach brothers – Chancy and Kobe. Chancy is a junior, while Kobe is a freshman that Glisson said has the potential to be an NCAA Division I player. The third is freshman Cayden Gravette.

“All three can play night in and night out,” Glisson said. “Now it is putting the different parts together with these kids that have never played together.

“Success will depend on how well we fit together and play together. Our strengths will be different this year from last year.”

The Bradford girls reached the region semifinals last year, but the Lady Red Devils must replace Morgan and Natalie Martin.

“This team has shown signs of improvement through the summer and individual workouts,” Bradford girls coach Merideth Jacobs said. “The big question over the summer was who was going to step up to fill the void.”

Jacobs will look to her two seniors Myriel Price and Haley Cooper to be the leaders.

“Myriel has been coachable through the summer,” she said. “They have both matured and grown mentally.”

But the success might depend on the play of the younger players on the team to back throse older players.

“We have a strong group of sophomores, but we might have an even stronger group of freshmen,” Jacobs said. “All of those are battling for two starting roles behind Myriel, Haley and Anna Taylor.”

The Lady Red Devils have improved over the summer, but there is one area that might be the difference in a successful season or an early exit from the postseason.

“Defense is what we struggled with this summer,” Jacobs said. “I didn’t realize how much the three seniors were in the right postition. We are going to have to have some players step up, as defense is going to be key.”

Michael Odom, 425-9754

Bradford Red Devils

Last year’s record/finish: 14-14 (8-8)/5th in District 14-A

2 key returners: Kobe Eddings (W); Marquez Pirtle (PG)

2 key series: Halls (Dec. 9 on road; Jan. 20 at home); Union City (Nov. 22 at home; Jan. 6 on road)

Bradford Lady Red Devils

Last year’s record/finish: 18-14 (10-6)/4th in District 14-A

2 key returners: Myriel Price (C); Anna Taylor (G)

2 key series: South Fulton (Dec. 2 at home; Jan. 13 on road); Union City (Nov. 22 at home; Jan. 6 on road)