Phil Hicks

Before the season, Bullard Brook Hill basketball coach Reed Rawlings and his team decided to adopt a certain passage from the Bible.

They were directed toward Co-lossians Chapter 3, Verse 23 — Whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men.

I’m not a Theologian, but perhaps God has His own way of rewarding honorable and faithful work, even if it does not result in a trophy.

Anyway, that has been the team’s philosophy all season and they will keep that in mind when they take the court this weekend in the TAPPS State Basketball Tournament.

Along with the passage, Rawlings wanted his team to enjoy the season. Sometimes, we get caught up in only the end result — not everyone comes out on top.

“I wanted our team to focus on the journey and not just the destination,” said Rawlings, who played six years in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Maver-icks and Denver Nuggets. We need to put an emphasis on the climb rather than reaching the peak.

“Now, it seems there is tendency in athletics for some to take the shortcut instead of going through the process.”

The Guard is enjoying the journey and the team wouldn’t mind taking home the grand prize this weekend.

This is the second Final Four berth for the Guard and this time they would like to play in the championship and win it all.

Judging by their performance thus far — knocking off the defending champion Fort Worth Bethesda in the regional final —, the Guard has a chance for a title.

No. 11 Brook Hill plays No. 5 Kingwood Northeast at 1 p.m. Friday in a Class 3A semifinal at San Antonio’s Alamo Convocation Center. The other semifinal has No. 1 The Woodlands Christian meeting No. 2 Midland Classical at 3 p.m.

The semifinal winners advance to the championship game at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Blossom Center in San Antonio.

After starting the season 3-10, the squad has won 12 of their last 14 games for a 15-12 record.

Spencer Denmon, a 6-7 senior, leads the team, averaging 17 points, 11 rebounds and 3.5 blocks.

Rounding out the starting unit are 6-3 senior forward Sang Yoon Lee (10 points, 7 rebounds), 6-0 senior guard Daniel Esquibel (11.5 points, 45 percent from 3-point), 5-10 freshman point guard Tyler Baker (8 points, 5 assists), and 6-2 sophomore forward Mason Sprad-lin (10 points, 4 steals).

Others key players are 6-0 sophomore shooting guard Colton Townley, 6-0 sophomore point guard Andre Huang-Hsieh, 6-1 junior shooting guard Collin Hanks, and 6-7 sophomore center Heath Dickey.

Rawlings says he has a true team-team and he emphasizes three steps — execution, repetition and motivation.

If all three come together, Brook Hill could be alone at the top.

HICKS
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