SULPHUR BULLDOGS
COACH: Grant Bates
Record: 17-10
OUTLOOK
After a solid 17-10 season, the Sulphur Bulldogs return to the floor with experience, depth, and confidence under longtime head coach Grant Bates, who enters his fifth year leading the program. With three returning starters and a roster filled with players who have paid their dues, Sulphur believes the pieces are in place for another strong run. “We have a good mix of experience and young and hungry guys,” Bates said. “I think we will have an opportunity to have a good year.”
Leading the Bulldogs is VYPE Top 100 nominee Bridge Barrett (6-1, Sr.), a proven scorer and one of the most dynamic guards in the state. As a junior, Barrett averaged 22 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, surpassing 1,110 career points. “One of the best guards in the state regardless of classification,” Bates said. “Look for him to have an even bigger year as a senior.”
Sulphur’s senior class also features Colten Cole (6-3, Sr.), Kale Brakefield (6-1, Sr.), and Castin Tully (6-3, Sr.), providing leadership, toughness, and versatility. Cole, the team’s Character Counts athlete, sets the standard daily. “All-time culture guy. One of the highest characters of any athlete I’ve ever been around,” Bates said. “He is an integral part of our success in games and our growth off the court in practice.”
The Bulldogs are deep across the junior class with Ethan Sales (5-10, Jr.), Dugan Gray (6-1, Jr.), Payton Curtis (6-6, Jr.), Jaxxon Beam (6-3, Jr.), Rush Pittman (6-2, Jr.), and Kaleb Walker (6-1, Jr.) all expected to play meaningful roles. Sophomores Cole Kirby (5-8, So.) and Garin Watson (6-1, So.) add skill and size, while freshmen Maveric Lowrance (5-11, Fr.), Lucas Mitchell (5-11, Fr.), and Harrison Taylor (5-11, Fr.) represent the program’s future. “Ethan is a returning starter for us from last year, great athleticism for his size and takes pride in getting the defensive assignment every night. A guy who can create game changing momentum with his relentless effort.”
Lowrance is one underclassman already turning heads. “Freshman with a ton of athleticism and a great skill set,” Bates said. “He does a great job on offense getting where he wants to go and defensively, he’s a great competitor with a lot of grit.”
Bates also praised Kirby’s impact at the point. “Cole is a very skilled point guard. He is a gritty defender and a guy on the offensive end that makes everyone better around him with his passing ability,” he said.
With leadership, scoring power, and a strong team culture, Sulphur enters the season ready to compete night in and night out.
