Bellbrook boys basketball is in good hands under Coach Donnie Tate
BELLBROOK, Ohio — The Bellbrook Golden Eagles varsity boys basketball team is ready to make a run at the SWBL this season. Donnie Tate’s team finished the 2020-21 season with an overall record of 10-10 and a league record of 8-4. The Golden Eagles are returning seven players from last year’s team, and Coach Tate expects all seven to make an impact.
Bellbrook enters the 2021-22 season with a familiar goal in mind. Coach Tate shared the Golden Eagles’ season goal with me during our conversation.
“Our goal this season is the same as it always is, to promote an environment committed to success on and off the court through perseverance, preparation, hard work, dedication, teamwork and selflessness,” Tate said. “To do this, we stress our core values, S.O.A.R. Strong. One. Accountable. Respectful. We all hold each other accountable for these values. Focusing on these values will undoubtedly lead to a successful season.”
Bellbrook’s core values helped Tate land an outstanding accomplishment last season. He was named the SWBL Co-Coach of the Year. Tate gave the best answer when asked about how he felt about being named Co-Coach of the Year.
“That was more to do about the other coaches in the league wanting to recognize the work my assistant coaches put in and the players for what they accomplished,” he said. “We played 12 guys every game, and our leading scorer averaged 7.4 points per game. We always play a competitive non-league schedule. We finished 10-10 overall and 8-4 in league with no players on the first-team all-league. That was truly a team accomplishment, and I think the other coaches felt it should be recognized, and getting that award is how they chose it.”
He credited other teams as well, noting their outstanding accomplishments.
“Franklin went 12-0 in the league,” he said. “Coach Bales did an amazing job with his team, and he was more than deserving to be the coach of the year and not share that recognition. I have a lot of respect for all of the coaches in our league, and they’re a talented group of coaches, and I enjoy talking basketball with them.”
Coach Tate’s core values helped the Golden Eagles accomplish things that were unexpected last season. It’s easy to see why the Golden Eagles are in good hands under Tate. Bellbrook has a ton of talent returning, and behind the coaching from Coach Tate, the Golden Eagles are determined to make a run at the SWBL championship.
Bellbrook will return three sophomores and four seniors from last year’s team. The Golden Eagles will welcome back 6-foot-6 senior Gabe Pavlak, who missed all but one game last season. The senior tallied 16 points in his only appearance and added three assists, two steals, two rebounds and a block.
With the Golden Eagles’ returning talent and Pavlak, Tate’s team has an excellent opportunity to make a run at the SWBL. Bellbrook will get the chance to play teams that they haven’t played in years.
When speaking with Coach Tate, I asked about the key games on their schedule, and Coach Tate had this to say about Bellbrook’s upcoming season.
“Our league has realigned this season. We now play Madison and Carlisle, whom we’ve never played in the five years I’ve coached here. Waynesville is on our side of the league, so we will play them twice,” he said. “We have not played them in about three years. I’m looking forward to seeing how those matchups go. The crowds are always good when we play Monroe, Oakwood and Franklin. Coaching in that environment is a lot of fun.”
Coach Tate emphasized the importance of playing challenging teams and coaches.
“I try to schedule non-conference games against programs that challenge us to be better with coaches I respect,” he noted. “We open with Northmont at Benner Field House in Xenia on the 26th. Northridge left our league, but Coach Lisath does a great job, so we kept that game. Badin is always a physically tough game for us and that won’t change with Coach Kreke now there. The same goes for Kenton Ridge and Beavercreek. Our guys are excited for Moeller at our place this season.”
Some new teams were added to the Golden Eagles’ schedule, and Coach Tate is excited to see how his team matches up.
“We added Chaminade Julienne and Ponitz to our schedule this year,” Tate said. “I’m excited for our guys to play at Chaminade Julienne on Dec. 4. They made the final four last year and the environment in that gym is always awesome. Moeller, Beavercreek and Northmont give us that big school experience. Moeller, Badin and Chaminade Julienne give us that physical GCL style of play to go against and Ponitz in the Dayton Public League, I think, fills out our schedule well.”
Coach Tate is excited about the upcoming season and feels that each game will bring an excellent experience for his players. Each game holds a significant value for Bellbrook and what they’re planning to accomplish this season. The Golden Eagles open up their season at the historical Benner Field House against Northmont on Nov. 26.
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