By Baylee Knebel
Playing sports at a young age can mentally shape you into who you are and what kind of player you become.
This has changed how he plays the game. In fifth grade he was at a basketball tournament and his team was down three points in the fourth quarter. He then hit a three-pointer to tie the game and go into overtime.
He was overwhelmed with emotions. Jumping up and down and celebrating with his team.
Eventually losing in overtime, after the game his dad got mad and told him not to celebrate early because the game isn’t over.
“Now I learn from that and I’m very humble and I don’t particularly celebrate ever,” Lucas Bragg says.
Bragg is a junior shooting guard for the varsity boys’ basketball team.
Formerly a key player on the JV team, he averaged 16 points per game. Now he is out to make his name known.
“I tell a lot of people that the best shooter in this area is Lucas Bragg,” varsity head coach Mark Detweiler says. “I would put him up against anybody from anywhere in a game of H-O-R-S-E. I would put my money on him.”
Bragg has played basketball competitively since he was four. Shooting guard has always been his role.
“[Shooting guard] makes my job easier so that I don’t have to go up against guys that are 6-4 or 6-5 and I wouldn’t be able to keep up,” says Bragg, who is 5-foot-10.
Having matchups on the court when you are an undersized player can be challenging mentally and physically. Getting shots on big varsity defenders with lots of talent and competitiveness is something that you have to work for.
“I just have to work hard and keep up with everyone else,” Bragg says. “It’s a lot of trust and trust in my teammates and coaches that they put me in the right spot to succeed.”
One aspect of putting the work in is doing the little things like practicing outside of the team. In the summer Bragg plays on an AAU team called Team Future and he shoots around on his basketball court in his driveway.
Detweiler says from a shooter’s perspective you can’t be an overthinker and be in your head or be stuck on the last play. You have to move on and keep going.
“From a young age he’s always had the ability to put the ball in the basket,” Detweiler said. “He’s gotten better at being able to move onto the next play, not worrying about if he’s missed a couple shots.”
One of Bragg’s best games overall was a JV game last season against Jay County. Jay County was running a zone defense so Bragg was able to easily get shots on them. He ended the first half with 25 points.
“I was hitting a bunch of shots and we ended up coming out on top so it was a good game,” Bragg said.
Outside of basketball Bragg plays golf. He plans to join the boys’ golf team in the spring.
“It gives me an escape and makes it easier to not get burnt out and makes it easier to have something to go to outside of basketball,” Bragg said.
