One Last Ride Together

By Fa Siale and Max Phillips

SEATTLE- O'Dea High School basketball team is getting ready for a big season. The team’s goal is to win Metro and then try to go far at state. Coach Jason Kerr and his staff have the players working hard every day in practice. The team believes it can beat anyone, even Rainier Beach, which is one of the toughest teams in the state if not country. Senior guard Peyton Brooks and senior guard Brian Webster talked with us and gave answers about what the team wants, how they play, and how they handle problems. 

Brooks said the main goal is to win state and that it’s not just something they say for fun. He said, “Our main goal this year is to win state; that’s not just something we talk about, it’s the expectation.” That means everyone treats practice like a real game. Coaches set up drills and scrimmages that feel like the real thing so players learn how to make good choices when the score is close. The team works on small things like boxing out, passing, and talking on defense because those little things add up and help win close games. 

On offense, O'Dea likes to play fast and share the ball. Webster said, “Offensively, we play fast, unselfish, and with confidence; we’re always looking to attack and find the best shot.” Players move without the ball, set screens, and try to get the best shot instead of trying to do everything by themselves. This makes it hard for other teams to guard them because many players can score. When the defense gets a stop, O'Dea tries to push the ball and score easy points in transition. 

Defense is the part of the game that really shows who O'Dea is. Webster said, “Defensively, toughness is our identity. We pressure the ball, rotate hard, and make teams uncomfortable from the start.” That means they try to make the other team feel rushed and make mistakes. The team helps each other on defense and moves quickly to cover open players. Good defense leads to steals and fast breaks, which helps the offense get easy baskets.  

Leadership is important too. Brook said the leaders show up every day and work hard. He said, “Our leaders show up every day with the work ethic we all try to match. They’re vocal when they need to be, and they keep the team focused when things get tough.” The older players and captains set an example in practice and games. They also act the right way off the court, which helps younger players learn how to be good teammates. 

The team has had some problems this season, like injuries and times when energy dropped. Webster explained, “We’ve had to deal with injuries, tough stretches in games, and moments where our energy dropped. Instead of letting that separate us, we’ve used it to build more trust.” The team watches film together, talks more, and holds each other accountable. Those hard times helped them get closer and stronger. 

This year feels different because the team is more connected and hungrier. Peyton said, “This year’s team is more connected, more focused, and honestly hungrier than we’ve ever been. We trust each other, and everyone buys into their role.” The bench is deep, so players can rest and still keep the team strong late in games. The team’s toughness and defense are the things that will help them the most. 

Rainier Beach will be a big test because they are fast and can score a lot with also getting the Number 1 player in the nation in Tyran Stokes. But O'Dea’s defense, depth, and teamwork give them a good chance to win those games. If O'Dea keeps doing the small things right, stays focused in practice, and follows Coach Jason Kerr’s plan, they have a real shot at winning Metro and then going after the state title they expect.