Bryan County Boys Basketball 2025 Winter Season Recap: A Historic Year Under Coach Jason Napier
The 2025 winter basketball season was nothing short of historic for Bryan County High School’s Boys Basketball team. Under the guidance of Head Coach Jason Napier, the team not only set new records but also firmly established itself as a competitive force in Georgia’s Class A Division II basketball landscape. We sat down with Coach Napier to discuss the highlights, challenges, and promising future of the Bryan County basketball program.
Key Contributors Leading the Charge
This season’s success was built on the foundation of a talented and committed roster. Coach Napier singled out several standout players who made significant contributions on both ends of the floor:
Mike Smith Sr. — A powerhouse on the court, Mike earned First Team All-Region 3A-DII honors and was named to the GACA First Team All-State for Class A-DII in 2025. He also secured a spot on the All-Greater Savannah Boys Basketball Second Team. Smith’s numbers were impressive, tallying 349 points and grabbing 243 rebounds over the season. His dominance in the paint and ability to control the boards played a crucial role in the team’s success.
Elijah Mincey Sr. — A skilled point guard, Elijah was also First Team All Region 3A-DII and received Sandy Spiel All-State Honorable Mention honors. He made the All-Greater Savannah Boys Basketball First Team and was an honorable mention for the 2025 AJC Class A-DII All-State team. In 20 games, Mincey scored 262 points and pulled down 98 rebounds, demonstrating his dual threat as a scorer and facilitator.
Darius Edwards Jr. — Starting as a backup, Darius’s role grew throughout the season. He earned Second Team All-Region 3A-DII honors, scored 219 points, and hauled in 113 rebounds. Edwards became the team’s best perimeter shooter and a reliable starter midway through the season.
Chris Winfree Sr. — Another key senior, Chris was named to the Second Team All Region 3A-DII and earned an honorable mention on the All Greater Savannah Boys Basketball team. He contributed 155 points and 177 rebounds.
Jayden Odum Sr. — Known as the team’s best defensive player, Jayden earned First Team All-Region 3A-DII honors. He scored 186 points and grabbed 114 rebounds, anchoring the team’s defensive effort night after night.
A Season to Remember: Highlights and Challenges
Coach Napier reflected on the season with a sense of pride. “Our season was great — the best season in 28 years,” he said. Bryan County finished with a strong 22-9 record and made an Elite Eight appearance in the playoffs, ultimately falling in a nail-biting 49-52 game. The team finished #6 in the state, and notably, six of their nine losses came against the top three teams in the state, including Savannah High and Macintosh Academy, both of whom competed for the state championship.
One of the defining moments of the season came late in the regular season during a tight game at Savannah High. Despite losing their star point guard, Elijah Mince, in the second half, Bryan County only lost by four points. “That game gave us confidence that we could play at a high level even without one of our best players,” Coach Napier explained.
Another pivotal game was the regional semifinal against Macintosh Academy, the eventual state runner-up. Bryan County narrowly lost by just one point, reinforcing the team’s belief that they could compete with any team in the state.
Growth and Development
Several players stepped up to fill bigger roles as the season progressed. Darius Edwards emerged as a full-time starter and the team’s most reliable perimeter shooter. Jayden Odum earned his starting spot thanks to his exceptional defense, solidifying the team’s identity on that end of the floor.
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
When asked about how the team dealt with injuries, tough losses, and pressure situations, Coach Napier pointed back to the lessons learned in those close losses and the confidence gained in adversity. “We showed we could fight even when missing key players. That mentality was huge,” he noted.
A Senior Class That Set New Standards
This year’s senior class left an indelible mark on the Bryan County basketball program. “This is the first senior class to make the state playoffs four consecutive years,” Coach Napier said. They also led the team past the first playoff round for the first time in over 20 years and secured an Elite Eight berth for the first time in 28 years. Their leadership, work ethic, and performance elevated the entire team.
Looking Ahead: Bright Future on the Horizon
Coach Napier is excited about the future of the program, thanks to a strong core of returning players:
Gerbravion Collins Jr. — A starter for half the season, Gerbravion was a significant contributor who scored 24 points in the first-round state playoff game.
Darius Edwards Jr. — With his established role and skills, Darius will continue to be a key player.
Cayden Rawls — Played 212 varsity minutes, scored 50 points, and grabbed 63 rebounds, showing promising potential.
Aaden Frederick Sophomore — A leading scorer with 77 points and 56 rebounds, Frederick played 266 varsity minutes and led the team with 12 points in their Elite Eight game.
Adding to the optimism is the strength of the middle school basketball program, which recently became region champions — a promising sign for the pipeline of talent coming up.
Offseason Focus: Getting Stronger and Sharper
Coach Napier is clear about the areas for improvement heading into the offseason: strength and shooting. “We must get physically stronger,” he said. “We must be a better shooting team.” He emphasized that these improvements will be key to building on the successes of this season and pushing deeper into the playoffs next year.
Where to Follow the Action
While Coach Napier did not provide a specific stats link, fans can typically find Bryan County basketball stats on local sports sites and MaxPreps, which tracks high school sports statistics and schedules.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 season was a historic one for Bryan County Boys Basketball, marked by incredible leadership from the senior class, breakout performances from emerging stars, and a team-wide grit that propelled them deep into the playoffs. Coach Jason Napier’s first few years at the helm are proving to be transformative, setting the stage for sustained success.
As the team looks forward to next season, fueled by experienced returners and fresh talent, the Bryan County community has every reason to believe this program is on the rise. With offseason work focused on strength and shooting, the Redskins aim to take their game to new heights and continue their journey as one of Georgia’s elite basketball programs.
For fans and supporters, keep an eye on Bryan County as they build on this momentum, promising exciting seasons ahead!
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