Hazel Park is for real and it starts at the top with Head Coach Brandon Barrett

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Coach Barrett as he put his team through a workout that was non mandatory on Friday afternoon following a tough game with Troy the night before. One thing that stood out to me was the mutual respect between players and Coaches. This is more than a team this is a family. It appeared clear to me why this team is where they are at. Coach demands the most out of his players on and off the court and boy to they respond. When I arrived at practice (30 Minutes early) coach Barrett was already there putting in work with role player Maurice Jones. Working on getting the big fella ready for this brutal stretch run. It doesn't matter if you're the top guy or a reserve he puts the same amount of work in with all of them. This team has 10 players and all 10 play. They have played without multiple starters this year and the next man steps up to fill in nicely. With Coach preaching defense and conditioning one thing is for sure, if you want to beat them you better be ready to run for 4 Quarters. Senior Guards Carl Bow, David Hearns and Devin Pettis lead the way while high flyers Kyle Washington and Khari Adams protect the paint with highlight reel dunks and blocked shots. The bench is led by defensive stoppers Julian Jones and Malik Allen. As the second half of the brutal schedule gets started it doesn't get easier for the Vikings once they hit districts but coach wouldn't have it any other way. He's had his team playing tough competition for years and has the attitude that you have to beat them all to be the best. I mentioned to coach that he should be mentioned in Coach of the year talk and his response was "I don't care about any of that I do this for these kids". Barrett gives a lot of praise and credit to assistant coach Jimmy Twyman who was a stand out player alongside Antonio Gates for a stacked Detroit Central squad. Who knows where this team ends up but I can guarantee they will be prepared for basketball and life and that comes from Coach Barrett.

(Kyle Washington getting up for a dunk during drills)