As the Bearden boys basketball team begins its season Thursday at home against Ooltewah, eyes will be on recent LMU signee Elijah Bredwood.

Bredwood, a 6-foot-1 guard, had a breakout junior season where he led the Dogs to a 30-4 overall record and an appearance in the state tournament. While posting averages of 14 points per game, along with 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. 

“Elijah really started to come along at the end of last season,” Coach Jeremy Parrott said. “I would say he started to really assert his presence on both ends of the floor down the stretch. 

“We expect him to not only help carry a statistical load, but to be the leader, we need him to be on the court, and that is a good example for what the guys behind him need to see.”

Bredwood continued to develop over the summer, as he had a successful AAU campaign and helped lead Bearden to go unbeaten in the camps they attended over the summer.

Bredwood said he worked most on “time in the gym, working on my weaknesses, and trying to be repetitive on what I do best” this offseason.

“We specifically expect him to be committed to playing the role of not only embracing the big, tough moments as they arise,” Coach Parrott said, “but to come in every day with his mind right and lead the team in those little things that we focus on – things like the daily practice grind and preparation, toughness on the defensive end of the floor, and valuing the basketball each possession.”

The team this year is looking to build on the success of last year’s team, and they know what it will take to get back to where they want to be.

“We had a great season last year, and that is a testament to the toughness of our players,” Coach Parrott said. “Great leadership from our senior class was huge in our success.

“To build on that and keep with the Bearden tradition, we need that same kind of toughness from our returning guys. Having the resolve to be a team that does the little things well, will make or break us. Our captains Walker Kyle and Hayden Moseley will be looked to in important leadership roles this season.”

Bredwood had multiple college interests including offers from Catawba, Tusculum, and Maryville College before he ultimately signed with Lincoln Memorial University on Tuesday morning.

“I think we can go far, we just have to be able to focus and get the little things done,” Bredwood said.