Keller boys basketball is an area powerhouse. Can they compete for a state championship?
The Keller boys basketball program has developed a reputation as a consistent powerhouse in the Fort Worth-area.
Last Friday, Keller (24-5, 10-0 District 4-6A) cut the net as a district champion for the third consecutive season. Head coach Zach Weir said the championship streak reflects the hard work of the seniors in the program.
“We demand a lot of them,” Weir said. “I ask a lot of them. A lot of stuff people don’t see. It’s really, really tough on them. When you can keep that consistency over three years, the way that these guys have, it is a testament to their hard work and they’re a special, special group of kids.”
Keller has two more regular season contests and will face Haslet Eaton (21-7, 6-3) at 7 p.m. on Friday at Keller High School. On Feb. 19, the Indian’s quest for a state championship will begin and the team is looking forward to the challenge.
Keller defeated rival Keller Timber Creek 78-47 on Friday to clinch the District 4-6A Championship. The Indians outpaced the Falcons, controlling the tempo with fast break buckets, aggressive defense and electric offensive efficiency.
“I thought we did a good job of coming out focused, executing, moving the ball, sharing it,” Weir said. “That’s what it’s about. We played some really good team defense. I’m just proud of them. They worked their tails off. They’re tough. A really good group of kids.”
Keller is ranked as the No. 13 Class 6A team by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches and No. 2 in the Fort Worth-area by the Star-Telegram. Weir used two words to describe the identity of Keller basketball: Tough and gritty.
“We’re just gonna go at people,” Weir said. “They share the ball. They play very well together. We’re just trying to cherish the moment and not getting caught up in it. We’re always trying to just grind and grind and grind.”
A special talent to watch: Brooks Bahr
The group of Keller seniors includes guard Brooks Bahr, a 6-foot-4 guard committed to BYU. In the victory against Keller Timber Creek (11-18, 1-8), Bahr led the Indians with a flurry of layups through contact en route to a 32 point performance.
Bahr is averaging 18.5 points, 6.5 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game. He uses impressive ball handling skills to find scoring opportunities, takes advantage of his size, has elite shot making skills from anywhere on the floor and makes the right pass when pressured.
“He makes everybody better,” Weir said. “He’s got a lot of great qualities. He can score and he can distribute it. He’s a great defender. But he’s an amazing teammate and just makes those dudes around him better because he genuinely cares about their success. He elevates everybody’s play on the floor. We’re so blessed to have him.”
Bahr had offers from USC, Utah, Harvard, Oklahoma State and more but said he chose BYU because it “feels like home.”
“Best fanbase in America,” Bahr said of the BYU Cougars. “And the coaching staff is awesome too.”
Before Bahr heads to Provo, Utah he has some unfinished business with the Keller basketball program. He said the expectation for the team has been the same since the summer: Win a state championship.
Another player helping power Keller basketball to success is junior Steven Ramirez, who is averaging 20.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists. Weir said people are able to see all the work Ramirez has put in behind the scenes through his play on the court and mentioned the junior is “only getting better.”
“He makes us really dynamic,” Weir said. “He gives us a big time one-two punch. He’s mad a huge impact this season.”
Weir also mentioned senior guard Rhett Schank, who provides the team with “monster dunks.”
“It’s really special when you’ve got three guys that can go out and make a play for you,” Weir said. “And they can organize and facilitate.”
Is Keller a state championship contender?
In the 2023 playoffs, Keller lost 80-78 in overtime to North Crowley. They lost in the area round and the bi-district round in the 2022 and 2021 seasons, respectively.
What’s it going to take to get Keller over the hump in the 2024 season? Weir said the key to a deep playoff run is staying healthy and staying consistent with the brand of basketball that has been played all season.
“Keeping your mind clear and the distractions out of the way,” Weir said. “We got some good experience last year in the playoffs and it unfortunately ended a little bit earlier than we wanted it to. We’ve got to continue to play together and be tough on defense. Tough teams win.”
Bahr said Weir helps keep the team level headed and focused. He mentioned Weir’s love and passion for the game of basketball is contagious and inspires the team to work harder.
“Our head coach is a basketball genius,” Bahr said. “We’re watching film with him every day and playing super fast. He coaches super hard, but at the same time he’s super understanding. He’s very relatable. Always sending me film clips. Stuff from Europe and all over the world.”
Keller, representing Keller ISD, has loads of experienced talent and will have the opportunity to showcase what its got against elite competition in the playoffs. Although the talent helps, Weir said the team’s selflessness is what high school basketball is “all about.”
“Doing it for the guy next to you,” Weir said. “They’ve been grinding for four years. They came in as freshmen through COVID, so they battled a ton of stuff. And now all that work is paying off.”
Weir said the team can only focus on what they can control, and that includes staying consistent with what has powered them to success all season. If the team does that, they believe they can compete with any team in Texas.
“Just play Keller basketball,” Weir said. “That’s fast. That’s relentless, that’s playing together. I love our guys, so I’m super excited for it and I know they are too.”
This story originally published in Wednesday’s Sports Overtime eEdition.
This story was originally published February 5, 2024 at 1:44 PM.
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