From 1 to 19: Bryan Prepares for State in Wake of Recent Struggles
In the spring of 2013, legendary Omaha Bryan coach Tim Cannon, who had been there for 28 seasons, left the Bears for Millard North and was replaced by a non-experienced Terrence O’Donnell. Now, five seasons later, the new coach has Bryan back in the state tournament and searching for their first state championship. Coach O’Donnell said that’s what makes this year special.
“These seniors, and the juniors too because their first season was only a three win season, have done something extraordinary,” O’Donnell said. “They went from a 1-23 season to a 19-5 and counting season.”
It wasn’t easy for the Bears to go 1-23, but that one win over Omaha Northwest provided hope. Through that year, and the years to follow, O’Donnell said they stayed committed. That commitment is why they are in a position to compete in Lincoln.
“They did this by trusting that if they stayed committed to working hard, being loyal to those who were loyal to them, and being the best version of themselves for the good of the program that they would be rewarded,” O’Donnell said.
But the days of the rebuild are over. Bryan qualified for the state tournament with a 70-52 win over Bellevue East last week. There’s been one thing that’s stayed constant throughout both the rebuild and this season: defense.
“Without question, the primary reason for us achieving the success we have had up to this point has been the focus on the defensive end of the court,” O’Donnell said.
The Bears are led by senior Tre’vion Crawford, who endured that one win season as a freshman, with 18.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He’s complimented by the likes of guard Javen Udofia, who averages 14.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. They also have players such as Jerome Wallace and Antoine Curtis that can get hot at any given moment.
“Tre and Javen, along with Antoine Curtis and Wil Grixby have lead the way,” O’Donnell said.
6th-seed Bryan will open play in their first state tournament appearance since 2012 on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 8:45 p.m. against 3rd-seed Lincoln East at the Pinnacle Bank Arena.