If you hadn’t heard of Parkview’s JT Brown, there’s a pretty good chance that changed this week. The 6’2″ senior guard was all the buzz at the Blue and Gold Tournament as he tied a tournament regulation record and set a new school record with 47 points in Monday’s opening round win over Willow Springs.
“Our guys know that we preach team every day, but when your captain has a chance to do something special like that it was important to let him do that,” said head coach Landon Cornish.
Brown, who’s averaging 21.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.9 apg and 2.8 spg, dropped 30 points in the first half despite a so-so shoot around. It was at that point he knew something special was going on.
“Halftime, they told me I had 30 and I just said I have to go for it.”
Cornish recognized the gravity of the situation and gave his team leader a shot at the record.
With just over 6 minutes to go in the 4th quarter, Brown hit a three-pointer from the wing to get 47, tying a Blue Division regulation record that’s stood since Branson’s Thom Field scored 47 in 1955.
Brown’s teammates played a little playful prank on him as he came to the bench.
“They kind of played a joke on me and when they took me out they said I didn’t get it, but then they said I got it,” said Brown.
“If your best player is your hardest worker then you know you’re going to put yourself in a great spot,” said Cornish. “I couldn’t be happier for him, great kid and it’s a night he’ll remember forever.”
The Vikings made it to the semifinals before falling to top-seed Republic; short of their ultimate goal, but certainly an indication of great things to come this season.
