The Granbury Pirates are ready to take the basketball court for the 2011-12 season, with a long-time brotherhood serving as a catalyst for what the team hopes will be a successful season.

Much of the squad has played together or competed against each other since the boys were very young – going back to a first-grade Little Dribblers team.  They continued through the children’s league into middle school and sub-varsity squads at Crossland Ninth Grade Center and Granbury High School.

“This is an extremely committed group,” commented head coach David Breazeale.  “Their chemistry is phenomenal and they have high expectations of themselves.”

The varsity players are Clayton Adams, Connor Adams, Lucas Baker, Joe Brewer, Brendon Clough, Jimmy Hodges, Randy Martin, Ryan Maldonado, Collin McCann, Chad Norris, Ryan Pinson, Zach Villa, Hayden Whitley, and Briley Wood.  All are seniors, except for juniors Hodges, McCann, and Wood.

For the boys, practice and teamwork have been a priority.  “I have been really pleased with our preparation for our upcoming season – which started in March,” stated Breazeale.

“Our summer and fall play saw us improve due to the tough competition we faced and the kids’ work habits,” the coach continued.  Team father Adam Villa led the boys through the off-season leagues, continuing what several of the dads had been doing since the boys were in first grade.

The Pirates will scrimmage Azle and Little Elm at home on Saturday, November 5 beginning at 10:00 A.M.  A second practice match will be held on the road at Mineral Wells on Saturday, November 12 at 12:00 P.M.

“We have a really tough schedule, and our district is one of the best in 4A statewide,” Breazeale commented about District 7-4A foes Arlington Seguin, Burleson, Cleburne, Crowley, Everman, Joshua, and Mansfield Summit.

Still, the coach has high hopes for the season.  “I have a really good feeling about this team,” he said.

Breazeale is assisted by Josh Jones, Greg Belleau, Will Hedrick, Blaze Pendleton, and athletic trainer Andy Rankin.