After winning against Boonsboro High School 55-51, the Brunswick High School (BHS) boys varsity basketball team was declared Regional Champs, their first championship since 2013. However, they had one week to prepare for the 1A semi-finals game against Cambridge-South Dorchester High School in the state tournament.
The BHS boys varsity basketball team was scheduled to play Cambridge-South Dorchester High School, who are the reigning 1A boys basketball state champions.
Various players expressed changes in practices, mindsets, and actions to prepare accordingly.
Due to how BHS has never played Cambridge-South Dorchester before the team was in the unknown.
Senior guard Tyrone Lee talked about the preparation that Brunswick went through to prepare for playoffs.
“We had never played this team before, so it was a lot of watching film,” Lee said.
Another player on the team, Kai Mansell, senior, shared how practices were more intense.
“Our practices were more intense, practicing our defense a bit more, alongside offense,” Mansell said. “We were practicing like it was the playoffs to get that competitive and playoff feeling.”
This year was a record year for the BHS boys varsity basketball team. The team won a record number of games, and going into the playoffs brought even more attention and pressure on the team to keep winning.
Mark Yongbi, Brunswick junior commented on the pressure the team is facing.
“Going into the playoffs there is always pressure, but most of that pressure we put on ourselves,” Yongbi said.
Yongbi also shared how there was pressure from the school and community, but, the team alone put more on themselves to keep going.
Additionally, one of the star players on the team, Jaivyn Moody, freshman, shared how he felt a lot of pressure.
“There was pressure, especially as it’s my first year playing basketball in high school,” Moody said. “We all felt some pressure on the team to make it past the playoffs and win states, but we all handled it well and worked hard.”
Throughout the week leading up to the semi-finals game, many of the seniors on the BHS boys varsity basketball team had some time to process that this could be their last game.
Andrew Jones, senior center, shared his thoughts on the team and how this could be his last game. “I thought about all of the time I spent in the program throughout the years. I also was thinking about this current team and the growth we have had together, and how this team is different from past teams,” Jones said. “I enjoyed this year so much because we really are a family.”
Then captain of the team, senior Brady Renn shared how he was reflecting on his high school basketball career and the season overall.
“I was somewhat nervous about the game. I thought about winning and moving on as well as potentially losing and closing the season,” Renn said, “I was constantly thinking about the chemistry built up with the group. I cherished every moment with that group… I am so thankful for this experience and it’s one that will always stick with me.”
Besides the players’ thoughts leading into the big game, Coach Brown was thinking a lot about how he can prepare the boys for this game.
“Going into the semi-finals, our focus was on staying true to who we have been all season. We talked about discipline, defensive effort, and playing together,” Brown said.
Furthermore, Brown discussed with the boys about how the goal of each season isn’t about winning, but it is about gaining opportunities and experience.
“Our record was something we were proud of, especially defending our home court 17-1. Our goal was never the number of wins, it was about continuing to improve and representing Brunswick the right way,” Brown said. “We wanted to compete at a high level, trust our preparation and make the most of the opportunity in front of us.”
The team then travels to Cambridge-South Dorchester March 6, 2026, to play the 1A boys basketball semi-finals game.