This season, the Brewer High School boys basketball team faces a tough task—defending their state championship title. Graduating their entire starting five, including stars Brady Saunders and Brock Flagg, has left them as the underdogs, picked ninth in this year’s Class A North preseason poll. However, the new-look Witches, led by first-year head coach Carl Parker, are determined to prove everyone wrong.
Parker, with his decades-long coaching career, sees potential in the young and inexperienced squad. Last year’s sophomores, now juniors, had the opportunity to learn from the best, practicing daily with seniors like Saunders and Flagg. The preseason has seen them compete against strong opponents like Chance Mercier’s Ellsworth Eagles and Class B state champion Orono, showing promise despite a loss to the Eagles.
The team’s chemistry is a crucial intangible. With ten of the eleven varsity players being juniors who have grown up playing together, their familiarity and camaraderie on and off the court set them apart. This unity, often rare in teams, gives them an edge.
On the court, the Witches will stick to last year’s dribble-drive system, leveraging their balanced lineup. Varsity returners Brydges, Harriman, Philbrick, Youngs, and Perry are expected to lead, but Coach Parker has confidence in former JV players like Logan Littlefield, emphasizing a well-rounded team effort.
Despite the doubters and challenges, the Brewer Boys Basketball team aims to grow with every game and make a mark in the upcoming tournament—a testament to their collective effort and determination.
