By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Branson is looking for its first winning season since 2016 and its first district championship since 2011 and the Pirates found the perfect person for the job in former Eminence head coach Pete McBride.
McBride brings with him 399 career wins and a pair of state championships in 2013 and 2018. The Hall of Fame coach had a span of six district titles in seven years.
“It’s great to be back coaching,” said McBride. “I’ve really enjoyed the summer and preseason with the guys here. I really missed spending time coaching the game I love and the players have been great to work with. They are hungry to create a culture of competitiveness and pride. The Branson program was in a transition of coaches as well as losing all starters to graduation, so the time was right to join a program that is in a complete rebuild with a group of guys that are eager to create a championship culture here in Branson.”
The Pirates are definitely in a period of transition, losing all five starters from last year’s 9-16 group. Branson returns just two lettermen.
Senior Justin Gill played in 23 games. The 6-foot-4 wing averaged 2.5 points and three rebounds. Classmate Aiden Dang is a 5-foot-8 guard that averaged 3.7 points as a junior.
Both will be counted on to lead on and off the court.
“Justin is a really good athlete that plays with a lot of energy,” said McBride. “He will be expected to impact the game on both ends of the floor. He can score at all three levels but will make the most impact attacking the rim. Justin is getting interest from defending National Champions Baptist Bible College.
“Aiden is a very athletic guard who can shoot the 3 at a high percentage. His quickness and shooting ability should provide open shots for himself as well as his teammates. He should provide excellent on the ball defense as well.”
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There’s a cast of underclassmen currently competing for varsity roles.
Juniors Nolen Tolliver, Skyler Ashford and Tristen Bough are in the mix, with Tolliver being a shooter, Ashford being a scrappy post and Bough being an elite defender. Classmates Darnell Rucker and Evan Johnson will also see time.
Eight sophomores are currently on the depth chart.
Kaden Scharbrough, Owen Brawner and Luke McCormick will add size and interior toughness. Jayce Culver, Peyton Bough, Teagan Asbury and Brody Gillespie are a quartet of wings that can score. Kamden Sutton is the point guard that makes the group go.
McBride is excited about the future of that group.
Fans will see and up-tempo style of basketball, which is typical of Pete McBride teams. His 2018 state championship team averaged 71 PPG.
Space and pace are two pillars of McBride’s system.
“Offensively we hope to have an aggressive mindset that keys on ball movement, cutting, and spacing,” said McBride. “It will be key for us to attack the basket with aggression while also making the extra pass to open teammates. Defensively we will play an aggressive style with different looks to try to counter what the opposition likes to do.”
It’s been some time since Branson was among the elites of the COC. McBride knows a change won’t happen overnight but learning to compete each day will be the catalyst for the program ascending within the class and district.
“The COC is one of the top conferences in the state and for us to be competitive in this league we’re going to have to play and practice with a relentless effort each day,” said McBride. “We must develop a culture of excellence in everything we do as well as a belief that we can win in this league. We look forward to the challenge.”
Branson will open the 2022-23 season by hosting the Battle at the Border on Dec. 1-3.
