Pasadena High School Basketball and Bryce Hamilton Looking for Big 2018 Season
By Spencer Stueve
With the NBA tipping off their season last week, and college basketball beginning in just a couple short weeks, let’s take some time to talk about basketball. The Major League Baseball season will be over in a matter of days, and the American sports public will turn their eyes to the hardwood, at least Monday through Friday. While high school hoops starts much later than the NBA or college, it’s never too early to look to the future. Pasadena High School is going through a tough season on the football field, but when the nights get cold and it’s time to lace up the basketball shoes once again, the Bulldogs promise to make fans forget about football. It’s championship or bust.
Coach Tony Brooks led the PHS Bulldogs to a 27-7 record last season and yet another Pacific League title. Winning the league title is nothing new at PHS. In fact, they’ve won 13 in a row. Still, they aim higher. Last year, the Bulldogs lost in the Division 1A CIF Basketball Tournament, but still earned an invite to the State Tournament. They were the 13th seed in the Division II State Tournament, and advanced all the way to the Regional Finals. In 2017-2018, they look to improve on that performance.
PHS is led on the court by Senior Bryce Hamilton. At 6’4” 170 pounds, Hamilton brings a lot to the table, and college coaches have taken notice. 247 Sports has ranked Hamilton as the 11th best college prospect in the state of California for 2018. He has drawn attention from a number of schools, with 13 reported offers to date. Though he is still uncommitted, 247 Sports reports that his leading schools are Arizona State, Ohio State, UNLV, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah. While one college will get his services at the next level, Coach Brooks and the Bulldogs are focused on now.
PHS begins their quest for a 14th consecutive league title, a CIF Championship, and run at a state title on January 3 against Crescenta Valley.