Bellbrook basketball trio makes memories on and off the court
BELLBROOK, Ohio — Donnie Tate, head coach of Bellbrook High School boys鈥� basketball, couldn鈥檛 be prouder of this year鈥檚 team. All of the boys have stepped up during notable games against Beavercreek, Chaminade Julienne, Lima, SPIRE Academy and West Senior High School (West Seneca, New York).
Three upperclassmen have been instrumental in leading the team: junior CJ Scohy, a point guard; junior Austin Webb, a shooting guard; and the team鈥檚 only senior, Kellen Solomon, who plays small forward/center.
Although each member of the trio began playing basketball at a different point in his life, they have gelled into an indomitable force since the beginning of high school. 鈥淲e鈥檝e played with each other every year of high school we鈥檝e been able to,鈥� said Kellen, whose love of the sport started in 5th grade. 鈥淢y sophomore year we were all on junior varsity, and it鈥檚 been fun to watch us all grow and start on varsity together for the last two years.鈥�
Austin and CJ can barely recall a time before basketball was a part of their lives; both joined teams in kindergarten. Austin particularly remembers competing against CJ on various teams throughout elementary school. Both boys also play golf.
The teammates draw on all of the crucial basketball skills they have gleaned over the years. Whether learning new moves, finding fresh ways to reach the hoop or absorbing ever changing guidelines (like this season鈥檚 elimination of the 鈥渙ne and one鈥� free throw scenario), the art of scoring is obviously a top takeaway.
Even more important, however, is the brotherhood that forms from shared experiences. 鈥淭he thing I love most about basketball is just being able to compete with my teammates,鈥� said CJ. 鈥淚鈥檝e always loved the feeling of winning and winning with my guys.鈥�
Austin seconds this sentiment, recalling his inaugural season on the varsity team. 鈥淭he upperclassmen really took me under their wing, and I learned so many life skills,鈥� he shared. 鈥淭hey made me feel like I was part of something more than a team. They were my brothers.鈥�
This falls right into line with what Donnie strives to achieve. His core-value based program is known as S.O.A.R. (Strong. One. Accountable. Respectful.). 鈥淏ringing a group of young men together as a team鈥攎aking decisions on and off the court following those core values鈥攊s what we鈥檙e all about,鈥� Donnie stated. 鈥淲e want to foster positive relationships between the players, building trust among them and with the coaching staff.鈥�
The boys agree that their teammates and coaches have shaped who they are today. Perhaps Kellen summed it up best: 鈥淚 love all the guys on this team, and I couldn鈥檛 ask for a better group to spend my senior year with.鈥�
Go, Eagles!
Post-Graduation Plans
Austin鈥擟ollege (studying business), playing basketball
CJ鈥擟ollege (majoring in business finance), playing college golf
Kellen鈥擣our-year university (studying business), playing basketball, perhaps coaching somewhere down the line
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