New Paris boys basketball coach Blain Brewington was the featured guest on yesterday’s Sports Brew Show. The new coach fielded questions for over an hour covering his coaching experience in both high school and as a college graduate assistant. One thing is certain, the new coach will bring high expectations both on and off the court for his players. Paris fans are going to be excited about the future of the Eagles boys’ basketball program.
Of huge interest to Eagles fans and his players is Brewington’s experience as a graduate assistant under Mike Anderson with the Razorbacks mens’ basketball program. When asked how he got his start, Coach Brewington said, “When Coach (Mike Anderson) got hired, I was the student manager and was working on my undergrad (undergraduate degree.) Once I finished my undergrad, Coach hired me on as a graduate assistant on the coaching staff. Phenomenal time. But before that, I actually got hired on by Coach Pelphrey (John Pelphrey). So, I was with two different staffs; two different philosophies. I am thankful for John Pelphrey. He hired me and got my foot in the door, and then Coach Anderson comes in and I think the world of Mike Anderson. He is one of the best people I have been around. I can call Coach now and he is always free to chat; free to talk. I love Coach and he taught me so much more than basketball. The loyalty that was expected; he is huge on loyalty from the people around him. Trust and loyalty; if you are loyal to him he is going to take care of you. I’ve been taken care of by Coach. I went to New York City in October to St. John’s (St. John’s University: Coach Anderson’s present position as head basketball coach) and spent about five days and it was like I was never away. He treated me like one of his own. It’s a relationship I will always have with coach Mike Anderson and his entire staff.”
As Brewington’s time as a student manager came to an end, he thought about moving into the high school ranks to begin his coaching career. When the opportunity came along to move into a graduate assistant coaching role with the Razorbacks, it excited Brewington to have a few more years with the program and to learn the various aspects of a basketball program. That experience, along with his previous high school experience at Class 5A Nettleton (Jonesboro) and Class 4A Lonoke, has prepared him for this moment to take his first head coaching job at Paris.
Brewington understands the differences in talent and philosophies of division one college basketball and high school basketball. But one philosophy that has held true through both his playing days at Pocahontas High School under his dad, Anthony Brewington, who is a legendary coach for the Redskins, and continuing throughout his collegiate and high school experience, is that of high pressure, man-to-man defense. In fact, the panel of The Sports Brew kidded Coach Brewington that his man-to-man defense would start when the opposing team got off the bus and would continue until they stepped back on their bus to return home. While it may not be quite that intense, Coach did say, “You can probably count on one hand the number of times I played zone defense in my high school career.” This should be exciting to Eagles fans as the team’s defensive philosophy should help carry the team on nights when the shots are just not dropping. Combine this with an athletic sophomore class that returns for this year, and the Eagles look like a very exciting team to watch in the 2020-21 season.
But as exciting as all of this is for the Paris community, perhaps the most impressive part of Coach Brewington’s interview was centered around his expectations for his team. Coach Brewington stressed accountability and loyalty from his players and between players on the team. He clearly expects his team to behave themselves and be good students as well as good basketball players. In fact, Coach Brewington indicated very openly that he will not tolerate the behavior of one of his players to negatively impact the program, or, his reputation as a coach that he has worked so hard to build over the years. “It’s something I remember from my time playing with my dad; the bench is the best motivator.You’re either going to change your habits or you’re going to quit. There’s two options from the bench, and that’s my philosophy. I will definitely use the bench for motivation. Our kids are going to be loyal to each other and the program. I think when you are loyal to something and truly love something, that elevates your game and passion for what you are doing. We used the phrase (at Arkansas) “be my brother’s keeper”…taking care of each other. If you see a guy doing something they don’t need to be doing, especially our younger guys, our seniors are holding them accountable. But, look out for each other and be a family.”
Coach Brewington has had his eye on Paris for sometime. “I always knew about Paris. Paris was on a really good run when I was at Arkansas. Being in northwest Arkansas at the time, I had always heard about Paris. My dad’s coaching buddies at Dardanelle and Pottsville had always told my dad about Paris. I feel like it is a place that is in a good league, but is a place that has good athletes that can compete in their league. I feel like it’s a place that is a lot like Pocahontas (in northeast Arkansas) that the community will support our kids in what we do; especially once we start winning. I think the wins will come. We have a long way to get there. But I am a willing worker to get there. The kids that we have that are on the team when the season starts will be the kids that are willing to do what it takes to win. We may not win as many games as the expectations are, but its not going to be because we don’t work hard enough or do the right thing every day.”
My impression of Coach Brewington is that there is no doubt he will bring accountability for the players, both on and off the court. They will play with great intensity, and they will do things his way. With the talent in the program today, this is very exciting for me and I believe it will be very exciting for all Eagles fans. The boys program could be on the doorstep of something very special. Coach Brewington’s hire, in my opinion, is a home run hire for both the program and the community. I have said this before; the administration should be both credited and congratulated from Paris superintendent, Dr. Wayne Fawcett, all the way down, for his hire. Blain Brewington is going to be a great addition to Paris.
Speaking of Dr. Fawcett, you won’t want to miss next week’s inaugural show of the two-hour Sports Brew that will kickoff on June 9. The show will be live from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Dr. Wayne Fawcett will be one of the featured guests that will be interviewed in the summer’s first show.
Will Be a Featured Guest on Next Week’s
Sports Brew Show
Photo Credit: Siloam Springs Herald Leader
Other guests on the show will include Vicki Churchman, Food Service Director for the Paris schools, in a segment entitled “Miracle Meals in Paris”, and Tammy and Bryan Frederick of Harmony Assembly of God Church who will speak about how churches in the Paris community are coping with the corona virus restrictions. Finally, a senior spotlight segment, that will be presented each week, will kick off next week featuring Class of 2020 graduate Luke Trusty. The weekly segment will highlight Paris seniors. All of this, plus a visit from a mystery guest from the Paris athletic staff! You will not want to miss this show!
Remember Paris fans, just go to “The Sports Brew Show” at thesportsbrew.net each Tuesday from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. to catch the show that is all about the Paris Eagles and the Paris community.
Stay with Resident Press for Pairs Eagles and River Valley high school sports action!
