Twenty-win seasons and deep playoff runs have become the norm at Pleasant Grove High School, where Billy Brewer is recently finished in his fifth season as basketball coach.
This year's team was vintage Hawk basketball: No big stars, no scouts in the stands, just a flock of hard-charging teens running the floor like their hair was on fire.
"You can't ask for better kids; our kids will do anything you ask," Brewer said. "They're on the court all year round. We've got great kids with great parents. The parents will always back you."
Whether in the weight room for off-season strength and conditioning or playing all day, everyday in a local gym, Pleasant Grove's players work hard to master the game.
"We have kids that know the game of basketball," Brewer said. "They know the fundamentals. They respect each other and they compete with each other. They all have each others' backs."
It probably helps that the players enjoy the style of game that Brewer and his coaches preach. It's a high-pressure offense with a fast-paced running, offense, and it's played with intensity.
Brewer and his assistant coaches, Brandon Easterly and Dwight McCown do a solid job of communicating the details and expectations of the system, as does the middle school coach, Paul Phillips.
"Coaches Easterly and McCown are great in-game coaches, and coach Phillips runs a great feeder program," Brewer said. "There are a lot of healthy things going on at Pleasant Grove. We have great coaches in the academic department and this community works to make things successful."
All that works together to put reward within the reach of young athletes.
"If a kid can come in and get along with our kids, do the work, and learn how we play, he can be successful," Brewer said.
One key to the Hawks' basketball success is loading up the pre-district schedule with tournaments and games against bigger schools.
"To be honest, it's getting harder and harder to find those games," Brewer said. "People know we have good teams and our kids come prepared to play.
This is Brewer's 12th year in the profession. He broke in as a volleyball coach at Queen City and spent five years as a football and track assistant at Clarksville. His Pleasant Grove teams have won at least 20 games in each of his five seasons.
Perhaps that string of unbroken success is why he seems perpetually to have a smile on his face.
"I love it here," he said. "We've got a great coaching staff, great kids, it's a great job."