From 1998 to 2002, new Galena boys basketball coach Scott Brakebill starred at Missouri State helping the team get to their most recent NCAA tournament in Steve Alford’s final year in Springfield.
A year after he graduated, New Covenant Academy’s new head coach Anthony Shavies began his career as a Bear, getting guidance from Brakebill in the process.
Now more than 20 years later they’re coaching against each other for the first time.
They both say they never dreamed they’d meet back up on a basketball court in this town of less than 500 people. The two now lean on each other for advice as coaches.
Before the game, they talked about what it would be like seeing their careers come full circle.
“Oh yeah, I’m going to try to get him a technical foul tonight for sure. Even throughout the competition, I’m able to just be proud of my buddy,” Shavies said.
“If he wins or if we win you know, we both learned something from it. And the kids learn something from it. And we’re going to love each other no matter what,” Brakebill said.
Galena would go on to win the game 87-68
