Bryant Stith is one of the greatest Virginia basketball players of all time. Now as a high school coach, Stith is building one of the Commonwealth's best programs at Brunswick HS in Lawrencville with the help of his two sons, Brandan and B.J.
Stith says he never thought he'd be coaching, but turns out, he's pretty good at it. Stith is in his sixth season as head coach at Brunswick. The Bulldogs are the #1 ranked team in the state in 2A finishing the regular season with a record of 21-2.
Bryant Stith says, "I love coaching, I'm stern but I want to equip these guys with life skills. They know they can trust what I'm telling them, everything I do I'm doing in their best interest."
Stith amazingly has led Brunswick to the state finals in each of his first five seasons as coach. After finishing as the runner-up the first four years, Stith and the Bulldogs finally broke though last year with a state title beating Waynesboro in the finals. It was also the first state title for Bryant's sons, junior, Brandan, and sophomore B.J.
B.J says, "We try to keep the father son aspect out of it while he's coaching, but in practice you can tell we are having a great time we have a special bond, me, Brandan and him."
Brandan says, "As a coach he makes sure we do what we need to but when we get home he gets into dad mode."
Bryant is still to this day UVA's all-time leading scorer. He averaged 19 points per game during his career. Stith was a first round draft pick in 1992 and went on to have a ten year career in the NBA. His life as come full circle, now back in his hometown.
Before he coached here, Bryant played here. He led Brunswick to the state championship in 1987 and 1988. He still holds the school's all-time scoring record.
Stith's retired number 20 jersey hangs in the rafters at Brunswick. Memories from his playing days decorate the gym lobby. Now his sons, Brandan and B.J are trying to follow in his footsteps.
B.J. has already committed to play college ball at The University of Virginia. Brandan has an offer on the table from UVA but hasn't made a decision.
Bryant Stith says "I know that they are saddled with more expectations than any other player who has been through my program and rightfully so, that's just human nature. I always try to tell them and prepare them that they are going to get everyone's best shot."
Brandon says, "I would say following in dad's footsteps is tough because he was an astonishing player I would watch videos of him in college, I was like, Dad that's you?"
Marty: Is he harder on you than the rest of the team?
B.J., "Oh definitely yes, because we don't want any distractions, if I do something and my teammates do the same thing, I will get a harsher penalty for it."
For now all three guys are all focused on winning back to back state titles, something that hasn't been done since Bryant's Bulldogs did it in 1988.
Brandan says, "When we won our first state championship, I just can't describe the feeling and I'm ready to feel it again."
