Brandon Bridy: The Face of Coal Region Basketball
by Eric Hampford, Future150 (12:45 PM CT, Fri October 26, 2012)

Pottsville, PA (Future150) -- Pennsylvania is a football state. It always has been, and it always will be. Outside of the greater Philadelphia area, the state doesn't produce much quality talent on the hardwood. 

Much like the state in general, the Coal Region in eastern Pennsylvania is filled with hard-nosed, blue-collar football towns.

One prospect who is emerging as a basketball star in a football town is Pottsville Area High School senior Brandon Bridy. The 6'2", 175-pound combo guard from Pottsville is a senior with no shortage of accolades entering his last season on the basketball court.

Entering his fourth season on the Crimson Tide varsity squad, he has already helped head coach Dave Mullaney build a dynasty in the Schuylkill League. He has played a part in three-straight Schuylkill League Championships, helping lead the Tide to a combined record of 70-11 in those seasons.

He also has a District 11 Championship under his belt, which he won as a sophomore. Last year, as a junior, he led Pottsville to a 22-3 record. 

Along the way, he averaged 12 points, three assists, and two rebounds per game. While his statistics won't blow you away, it's his intensity and winning attitude that make him such a valuable player on the floor.

His defensive presence and willingness to guard the opposing team's best player made him a 2012 Schuylkill League First-Team selection last year. Now, he has even bigger goals this season.

"My goals for this season are extremely high.I want to be MVP of the Schuylkill League, win my fourth league title, win another district title and be named on the top players in the state. I also want to compete in the state tournament at the AAA level and be named to the All-State team. I also want to become one of the few 1,000 point scorers in Pottsville High history."

Right now, he is currently receiving interest from Bloomsburg University, East Stroudsburg University, Randolph-Macon College, and DeSales University, and if all goes according to plan, he will go down as one of the most recognizable names in Pottsville Area High School history.