By Jeff Odom
The Freedom boys basketball team’s transformation the last 12 months has been thorough, complete and absolute.
“I think we worked hard in the offseason, prepared enough and we’ve done the little things to come together strong and win,” said senior center Brandon Patchan.
And that’s exactly what the Patriots (10-1, 4-1) are doing.
The squad has climbed into a tie for the top spot in Class 7A-District 9, scoring wins over last season’s district champion Chamberlain and league runner-up Wiregrass Ranch. The lone loss was a 45-44 contest at Chamberlain Nov. 29.
Second-year Patriots coach Cedric Smith said his squad has come a long way from where it was just one year ago when it finished 8-14. He added that the group is good enough to win its first district title since 2005 and make the playoffs for just the second time in the program’s 10-year history.
“Their effort has been a lot more consistent, and that’s all I really ever wanted,” Smith said. “I knew I had talented guys for a high school team, and I know I came back with a bunch of seniors, and we’ve been preaching consistent, sustained effort throughout the game. … There are good teams, I just want to get on the floor and compete.”
Senior point guard Antwan Bradley has stayed with the program the last three seasons, in which Freedom finished below .500 twice. He said it’s something special to see the upper-classmen like Patchan come together for a common goal.
“Our record is 10-1 right now, and we’re not used to that, but I believe we can actually take the district title, because we have more chemistry,” said Bradley, who is putting up 9.0 points per game. “People aren’t being selfish, they’re making that extra pass, and we’re doing the right things by listening to the coach and not getting too cocky.”
Smith said that the squad started working well before the season tipped off, adding that losing to Chamberlain 75-48 in last year’s district semifinals has helped spur their ascension.
“Some people may look at this and see it as a short turnaround, but these guys have worked hard all summer,” Smith said. “Ever since the end of the season last year and the disappointment that we had against Chamberlain, no one wants to go out by 27 (points). They made a commitment to come back and work in the weight room and conditioning, and they will never get caught not working as hard as they can. I’m pleased. I’m really pleased.”
Junior guard Michael Keller (8.6 points) said he wants to send the team’s 11 seniors out on top.
“(Our success) has been surprising, but we’ve worked hard enough to get here,” Keller said. “For us, it’s about sending the seniors out on a good note. Our coach is really smart; he knows what he’s doing, and if we stay smart and execute, we should be all right.”
Smith said they have also been pushed by Freedom’s girls basketball team, which is perched atop its own district at 15-1.
“Coach (Laurie) Pacholke has done a great job; she works the crap out of them, and it puts a lot of the pressure on the boys,” Smith said. “We’re tired of people saying the best sports around here are women’s basketball and cheerleading. We applaud them for what they’ve done, but we want to put a guys team on the map here at Freedom. … Even if we don’t put a banner up there, I’m happy with our guys coming in and being better men than when they started here. Don’t get me wrong, I want to win as much as the next guy, but I think if our guys work hard in the classroom and on the court, that’s bigger than a banner to me.”
The Patriots travel to district rival Gaither Jan. 8. They host Armwood Jan. 9 and travel to 7A-9 opponent Wiregrass Ranch Jan. 11. All games start at 8 p.m.
