The Brook Hill basketball season is just around the corner, and new Head Coach Wally Dawkins is pleased with the excitement being generated by the fans regarding the 2008- 2009 campaign.

"I think anytime you get a new head coach, with some good players returning, you have excitement and expectations" Dawkins notes. "Combine that with a couple of really good transfer students, and I think it just adds to the hype. We anticipate a great year."

The Guard will have to wait on several players from the current football team, but Dawkins says "No hurry. We want to win state in football, and then in basketball also. I think we both have a chance."

Having a new coach however, also means a new system, which takes time to get comfortable with. "I think the big thing for us of course will be how well we do academically. This is a great school and the academic expectations are high. Our players must excel in the classroom first, and then on the court. I believe we will do that. Secondly, all the kids have to be patient and not only learn the new system, but master it. We will do most of the same things we did at Whitehouse, but tweak them to fit our players talents."

The Guard should be on of the biggest teams around in TAPPS Division III, featuring 6'6 Heath Dickey, 6'6 Courtney Thomas, 6'3 Jeremy Chappelle, and 6'3 Ross Nichols. Brook Hill will also return their starting backcourt with point guard Tyler Baker and 2-Guard Mason Spradlin. Perimeter players expected to see plenty of action include Andre Huang, Collin Hanks, and Colton Townlee.

"We plan on having eight or nine varsity players, and 10- 11 JV players. I will probably do most of the coaching for both teams myself in this first season. We have a great nucleus of younger players in Zac Cool, Jared Dickey, Austin Langemeyer, Ross Lee, Tallen Harris, James Arterberry, Carter Clements, Mason Jones, and Tyler Burton to build our future teams."

"I can't think of anyplace I would rather be at this point in my career than at Brook Hill" the veteran coach says. "I thought coming in it would take some time to realize success and build a program. I really believe we have the chance to win big this year while building our program from the lower grades through high school.

Dawkins coached in Texas Public Schools for 29 years, 27 of those as a head coach. For the past 21 years Dawkins was at Whitehouse and has an overall record of 559-234.

The Brook Hill Boys Basketball program offers off season practice throughout the school year and Coach Dawkins is beginning working with younger students as early as 1st grade at the Lower School Campus.

"We are doing several things with elementary students. We have our Next Level Basketball Fundamental series, we offer the Globe Trotters ball handling classes, and we are having the first ever Brook Hill Boys Basketball League for teams 1st grade through 8th. Combine that with our Sports Academy where we teach the basics in 5 major team sports to boys and girls, and our kids should get a good start in athletics."