East Flat Rock – East Henderson finished the primary regular basketball season with a perfect record of 24-0, decisively winning the Mountain Seven crown at 12-0.
Next up is the M7 tournament at Franklin, running through Friday, Feb. 21. East has a first-round bye on Feb. 14, with semifinals scheduled for Feb. 18. State tournament games will take place on Feb. 25 and 28, March 4, and March 8 for round four.
The dominant East team surpassed 70 points in its first six games and averages a 26-point victory margin (68-42). Reigning District 12 Player of the Year Caiden Brewer (28 PPG), the point guard, and his freshman outside-shooting brother Jaylin Brewer (10 PPG) typically account for 38 of East’s 67 points.
“I’m shooting the ‘three ball’ (three-point shots) more, with confidence,” in addition to aggressive dribbling, Caiden Brewer told the Tribune.
Top Career Scorer
Caiden Brewer is Henderson County’s career male public high school scoring leader. The previous records, both set by North Henderson Knights, were held by Chris VanLandingham (1,819 points in 2008) and Austin Nelson (2,075 points in 2017).
Brewer averaged 16.3, 19, and an M7-best 25 points in prior seasons. He ranks in the top 20 statewide in male career scoring, as East head coach Marquintus “Q” Jones proudly noted. Jones is the reigning WNC boys’ district coach of the year.
Brewer set the county record at home on Jan. 31, scoring 21 of his 32 points in the first half against Tuscola. He sat out most of the second half. Brewer erupted for 38 points in two recent consecutive games, also in limited action during blowout wins. He exploded for a program-record 51 points in a 59-point victory over Chase post-Thanksgiving.
Confident Teammates
As a major honor, Marquintus Jones will coach the PhD Hoops USA national ten-member squad, including Brewer, at the United World Games from June 15-23 in Italy.
Jones is also known for his motivational speeches and detailed preparation. Film instruction initially focused on self-improvement but has recently shifted more toward analyzing opponents, Jones said. Caiden Brewer stated, “We watch a lot of film. We’re prepared. We’re confident we’ll win.” Coach Jones describes his Eagles as “extremely confident, but not arrogant.”
The seven senior Eagles, listed in alphabetical order, are: Riley Adams, Kaiden Allison, Kyle Bailey, Caiden Brewer, Lex Burns, Dakota Page, and Leland Prutzman. The seven juniors are Tylik Baker, Jaden Evans, Slater Holsinger, Seth McCarson, Jayden McMinn, Eli Stokes, and Kaydin Williams. The veteran Eagles have no sophomores on varsity.
Prutzman remarked, “We have each other’s back.” The gutsy senior calls it “amazing” to set team history.
Historic Season
East has already tied its season victory mark set last year when they finished 24-6 (10-2 M7). The previous record was 17 wins. The Eagles are aiming for three consecutive M7 tournament titles. Last season, East won a playoff contest for the first time in 30 years and advanced to round two.
If East wins the 3A state tournament to finish unbeaten, it would be hailed as the first undefeated public high school varsity boys’ team in Henderson County in at least half a century. West Henderson won its first 29 games in 1991-92 before losing in the 3A title game. Hendersonville won all 16 games in the COVID-abbreviated 2021 season before falling in the 2A state finals. The current Bearcats won the Mountain Foothills crown at 12-0.
Tall Task
The swift and patient-passing East Eagles face a “tall” task in defeating much taller opponents in the playoffs. Overcoming taller teams is largely “due to our (mainly man-to-man) defensive game plans and how we guard,” Coach Jones explained. “We front bigger post players with ‘help on the backside’ to prevent the ball from going into the post.” Additionally, “our goal is three stops in a row after every timeout.”
Caiden Brewer drives to get taller opponents into foul trouble. Jones describes him as “crafty around the basket.” Caiden attacks the basket while also mixing in shots from the perimeter. “Caiden has improved tremendously with his off-dribble shooting.”
When a North Henderson defender “faced up” against Caiden Brewer, he passed more effectively. “Caiden took what the defense gave him and got his teammates involved,” Coach Jones said. “When it was time for him to be the best player on the floor, he was — and no one could do anything about it.”
Offensive goals include “taking care of the ball, really attacking the basket, and taking great shots,” Jones said. “We need to share the ball while being under control.”
Brewer avoids foul trouble by “positioning to keep his man in front of him and contesting shots without fouling,” Jones noted. When Brewer sat due to foul trouble, senior guard Riley Adams scored 22 points to lead East past Smoky Mountain. Jaylin Brewer takes over point guard duties with commanding leads.
Furthermore, Caiden Brewer possesses a “top-end motor and endurance, along with leadership,” Jones said. “He’s always talking to teammates, demanding excellence from them and himself.”