City of Basketball Love

Will Slover (@WillSlover31)
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At Coatesville Area High School, there is anything but a lack of basketball history. The Red Raiders have become a perennial power in the Ches-Mont League National division while also contending for a District 1 title year in and year out -- and with success like that, it isn’t a commonality for freshman to see the floor. 

Such is not the case with this year’s Red Raiders squad, who boast two of the youngsters in their top six players. 

Having two freshman see such valuable minutes can usually spell signs of rebuilding, but not for this year’s Coatesville crew.

Behind the efforts of Jhamir “Jig” Brickus and DaPree Bryant, two Class of 2020 guards that have been staples in the Coatesville rotation all season, Coatesville has put together one of its best seasons in recent school history, compiling a 22-4 record along with earning the No. 2 seed in the District 1 6A tournament heading into Tuesday night’s District 1 6A semifinal at Temple’s Liacouras Center.

"Every time, no matter the venue, no matter the circumstance, situation,” Coatesville head coach Chuck Moore said. “They've accepted the moments and shined every time."

There was no difference on Tuesday night, as sensational performances from Brickus and Bryant propelled Coatesville to a 79-58 win over Cheltenham to put the Red Raiders in the District 1 championship game, which will take place on Saturday night at Villanova against Abington. 

While stepping out on the floor at Temple University with a spot in the championship game on the line may rattle the nerves of most freshmen, that was not the case on Tuesday night for Coatesville’s duo. 

"I thought this might be too big for a moment, but it clearly wasn't,” Moore said. “The poise, the determination, the grit, man, all of those things that sum those guys up, they did it tonight on that floor. I'm extremely proud of them."

The two freshmen treated the floor at the Liacouras Center on Tuesday night as if it were any other floor they had stepped on this season, as Brickus cashed in for a game-high 22 points and Bryant added another 17 off the bench. 

After seeing their Red Raiders fall behind to Cheltenham, 13-11, after the first quarter, the two guards picked up their games and propelled their squad to victory. 

In Coatesville’s huge second quarter, where it outscored Cheltenham 25-14 on its way to taking a 36-27 lead into the half, Bryant came off the bench and fueled the huge quarter as he scored seven points in the frame while also making a huge impact on the defensive side of the ball with his quickness and ability to make ball handlers uncomfortable.

“I came off the bench and brought the energy, the defense, and the intensity,” Bryant said. “I just came out and played like it was a regular game.”

After turning in modest first half efforts of seven points for Bryant and Brickus adding in another six, the best was still in store for the duo.

“At halftime, I just got up my shots up and tried to get the hot hand and I felt it,” Brickus said.

“Felt it” is an understatement.

Brickus caught fire in the third frame, scoring 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting, while Bryant added in another seven for the quarter. 

After helping their squad extend its lead even larger in that third quarter, it was just a matter of keeping Cheltenham at length and securing a spot in the title game. 

On top of Brickus and Bryant’s bond on the court, the two also have a unique bond off the court as well as the two are half-brothers and best friends when they’re not causing problems for the defense of their opponents. 

“Best friends,” Bryant said. “It’s the same thing on and off the court.”

“It’s a bond. Off the court we just hangout and play games and stuff,” Brickus added. 

Helping the duo carry the offensive load for Coatesville were 11-point performances from Tyrel Bladen and Kamau Brickus, the cousin of the two freshmen standouts. 

Pacing Cheltenham was a 15-point, four-assists outing from junior guard Ahmad Bickely, who on the other end of the ball was given the daunting task of trying to contain the two skilled youngsters.

Up next for Coatesville is the District 1 title game, where Coatesville hasn’t been since the 2000-01 season, when Brickus and Bryant’s father, Maurice Bryant was wearing the red and white. 

The elder Bryant was a force on the 2000-01 Coatesville team, which won not only the school’s last district championship, but brought home a state title as well. 

“He plays his part, he doesn't want to be in the practices and the locker room too much,” Moore said of the father of the two. “The most important part is when they leave and go home, they're getting that same instruction, something most kids can't get out of a parent, if they didn't play basketball.”

Having two sons playing such a crucial part for a team that is deep into a postseason run is something that brings Maurice back to his days as a Red Raider.

“I get all the jitters, I get all the emotions and everything else,” he said. “I was on the edge of my seat wishing I was back in the limelight but I’ve got those two, so it’s a blessing.”

Getting to see his sons wear the same uniform that he so proudly represented earlier in the decade is something that Bryant knows not to take for granted. 

“It’s a blessing, watching them play and them wearing the uniform and everything else,” the father said. “Just anticipate them having fun and doing what they love to do.”

Looming ahead for Brickus, Bryant and Coatesville is a hot Abington team that disposed of Plymouth-Whitemarsh by a score of 71-67 just before the Red Raiders took the floor. 

The contest for District 1 glory will take place on Saturday, and Brickins and Bryant will be doing everything in their power to make sure that they experience the same fate their father did 16 seasons ago and bring the district title back home to Coatesville.