You cannot question Brandon Emmert’s passion for at least two things: the Pittsburgh Penguins and chewing gum.
Emmert has been a fan of the former since his dad brought home a replica jersey of the reigning Stanley Cup champions around seven years ago.
“I just thought it was cool that there was a team called the Penguins,” Emmert said. “I started watching their games when they were on TV and I instantly fell in love with hockey.”
The latter is a ritual of sorts and one Emmert doesn’t waver on. He remembers a game his sophomore year – on Bolivar’s courtwarming night against Hollister – in which he struggled to defend Tigers star and current C of O player Ethan Davidson.
Bolivar pulled out a win that night, despite Emmert’s defensive struggles.
“(Davidson) just lit me up for like 28 points and I didn’t have gum that night,” said Emmert, whose preferred choice is Trident Wintergreen or Doublemint. “I think I blame it on the gum, still.”
When he’s not fretting over gum or watching the Penguins, Emmert can usually be found practicing or playing one of two beloved sports: basketball and football. But in a year, he’ll likely be playing only one of those.
The fact that a college athletics future is around the corner for Emmert is a remarkable transformation. He’s the classic “chubby” kid who was often overmatched in youth sports.
“Going into my 6th grade year, I had no talent,” Emmert said. “I was bigger than everybody, but I was also a lot fatter than everybody. I couldn’t do anything with my speed. I played baseball and was the kid that probably held the bat the wrong way.
“Sports were hard for me until about my 7th grade year, when I started getting my coordination. I played basketball, played football. The constant grind of athletics, I started to catch better, I started to become more physical.”
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Even better, he was able to win those 1-on-1 battles against his older sister, Daiwa, who was a volleyball, basketball and track and field standout herself at Bolivar. She’s now a collegiate track and field athlete at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
“I got a slap in the back every now and then from her, or a punch to the ribs when we played,” Brandon Emmert said. “Most of the time, I deserved it for trash-talking her or something. But she definitely made me a better athlete, a better player.”
Brandon Emmert credits training with Brandon Burgette of BreedBallers and a close relationship with Liberators basketball coach Robby Hoegh for his development.
“Back in 3rd grade, I couldn’t walk and chew gum at the same time,” Emmert said. “(Hoegh’s) worked with me relentlessly, trying to get me in the gym. Every day now he’s like, ‘Are you going to come and get your work out in? Are you going to come in and shoot?’ He pushes me to be a better person, a better teammate.”
Brandon’s junior-high development was evident the moment he hit high school. He’s been a varsity starter since his freshman season, when he averaged 10.5 points and 8 rebounds per game.
This year, he averaged about 18 points and 8 rebounds for a Bolivar team that won a second straight district championship.
But the Liberators’ quest for a return trip to Columbia and the Final Four was cut short, as Bolivar fell to Raytown South in the Class 4 sectional round.
“I still have nightmares about it. It haunts me every single day,” said Emmert, a 6’6”, 230-pound forward. “It kind of motivates me and Conley (Garrison), because we’re the only returners from that team.”
The season still had a lasting memory for Emmert and his teammates. In late December, the Liberators defeated Nixa to in the Blue and Gold Tournament to claim the Gold Division title. Nixa had won a B&G title each of the previous five seasons.
“Most memorable moment of my high school career,” Brandon Emmert said. “I will never forget that: the thrill of hearing the horn and running to my teammates, knowing that we finally did it.”
Despite going winless in the event, Emmert also said playing in the 2016 Tournament of Champions is something he’ll never forget. The experience gave him a taste of experiencing high-level basketball against some of the country’s top players.
And, barring Bolivar making a Final Four run next year, it could be the biggest basketball stage in which Emmert ever plays.
Heading into his senior year – with a big college decision looming – Emmert has already put together a resume that ranks him as one of the best athletes to ever walk the halls of Bolivar High School.
Barring injury, he’s set to graduate as Bolivar’s all-time leading scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker. Still, Emmert admits that his ceiling is higher in football, where he’s receiving attention from FBS schools. In basketball, he’s a Division II or, at best, Division 1 mid-major prospect.
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Uncommitted, Emmert figures to receive heavy interest from college programs – both football and basketball – this summer.
Emmert’s on a similar path to that of Nixa’s Chase Allen, who signed with FBS school Iowa State for football. Like Allen, Emmert projects as a tight end.
“My family probably prefers I play football, but I don’t know what I want to do yet,” Emmert said. “It really depends on, for me, how good the school’s education is. That’s how I’m going to base (the decision) because I’m hoping I can get opportunities to play in both. Then, I can see where my best fit is.”
Emmert said he’s grown up playing both football and basketball and has a hard time envisioning himself only playing one in college.
“It’s hard to not think about it,” he said. “I’m hoping I don’t have to make a choice, but I’m sure it’s going to cross soon.”
