Lafayette hires Brown as hoops coach

By John Harvey

Modified:

Saturday, June 23, 2012 2:08 AM EDT

Originally Published: Saturday, June 23, 2012

JAMES CITY -- Patrick Brown has spent nearly a decade studying basketball in the Bay Rivers District as a player and assistant coach.

The 29-year-old Grafton High grad now gets a chance to build his own program at Lafayette High. He was named the program?s next coach Wednesday afternoon following approval by the WJC School Board late Tuesday night.

?It?s truly a dream come true,? said Brown in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon. ?It?s been a goal of mine since I graduated high school.?

Brown played one year at Grafton High under coach David Keeter after moving from New Mexico. He graduated from Longwood University in 2005 with a major in kinesiology. After college he returned to the Peninsula to begin his coaching career.

After a brief stint as assistant coach at Menchville, he found a home in the Bay Rivers. He spent two seasons as an assistant to Lee Underwood at Jamestown High. In 2007 he took the junior varsity job at Warhill and spent four years as coach Justin Hayes top assistants. Last year, he served as a health and physical education teacher at Berkeley Middle School. He was also served as a private basketball trainer with Breakaway Basketball.

?I always knew. I wanted to coach and build a program of my own,? Brown explained. ?I feel extremely blessed to have the opportunity, because I know the responsibility that comes with it. I?m ready to help guys become better basketball players.?

Brown takes over for Tony Traver, who stepped down earlier this year for personal reasons. Traver guided the Rams to a 34-35 record during his three-year tenure, including a trip to the Region I Division 3 semifinals.

Brown is excited. ?Most people look at me and think I?m mild-mannered,? he said. ?I love basketball and it does get me going. I spent a total of six years coaching in the Bay Rivers, coaching against different systems. It?s going to be a big challenge. Some of the guys that are coaching in this league, like [Tabb?s] Doug Baggett and Lee [Underwood] and Justin [Hayes] have some such an amazing job. I know that works.?

With the VHSL new regulation of allowing coaches to work with their players year-round, Brown is ready to get to work. Commitment, attention to detail and hard work are qualities he demands from himself and his players.

?I expect all the little things to be done correctly,? he said. ?I try to be very clear with the message that I?m sending. They will know where I stand. Off the court, they?re kids and so I try to show that I care about what?s going on and try to make sure that they?re doing the right things off the court. ?

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