High school has been a long and complicated journey for senior guard Jahmir Brown. Rich Township is his fourth stop in four years.
Brown, though, is fitting in well with the Raptors. And after winning a Class 2A state championship last season with Dyett, he’s got a chance to do something rather unique.
“It’s my senior year, so I’m just trying to get it done,” Brown said. “I’m trying to get another state championship. I’d probably be the first one around to win two state championships, back to back, at two different schools.”
Brown’s continued improvement is one of the reasons the Raptors are playing their best basketball of the season — and look capable of making another big playoff run.
He came off the bench to score eight points Monday night as host Rich Township rolled to a 72-41 win over Marian Catholic in Richton Park.
Jamson Coulter scored a career-high 37 points to lead the Raptors (17-12) and passed 1,000 career points in the process. He’s the first player to hit that mark for program, which started in the 2020-21 season after the Rich Central, Rich East and Rich South athletic departments were combined into one.
Kaydin Dean added six points, while Kavon Ammons and TJ Eaton chipped in with five points apiece for the Rich Township.
Shane Lunford led Marian Catholic (13-14) with 13 points. Landon Mays added five points and seven rebounds.
Brown, meanwhile, scored all eight of his points in the second quarter to help the Raptors pull away for a 43-21 halftime lead. He’s starting to reach the right level of comfort with his new team.
“It was a challenge just coming in with a new group of guys who I didn’t know how to play with,” Brown said. “We’ve got like a 10-man rotation and everybody can get it going.
“I just came in and knew I was battle-tested from my past years.”
Ammons sees things starting to click for Brown.
“He gives us another spark,” Ammons said. “He’s a real point guard and he can score, too. He gives us what we need.”
Brown started high school at Kenwood and spent his sophomore year at Marist before landing at Dyett as a junior. He averaged 7.9 points as a key reserve last season for the Eagles, who won the Class 2A state title.
But chaos followed the championship at Dyett as coach Jamaal Gil was laid off from his security job at the school and resigned from his coaching position. Brown was one of several players to transfer.
“It was a lot to deal with,” Brown said. “I’ve been to a different high school every year and I was willing to stay at Dyett, but things happen.
“Shoutout to coach Gill. He was here (Monday), too. It was great to have him here watching me.”
One of the new teammates Brown was most familiar with before arriving at Rich Township was Coulter.
Brown was thrilled to see Coulter hit 1,000 points despite playing in only the last six games this season due to a health issue.
“Jamson and I have been going at it for years, playing against each other since we were shorties,” Brown said. “It’s really fun being his teammate now, and it was amazing to see him come back late in the season and still get that done and get to 1,000 points.”
Rich Township coach Lou Adams was also thrilled for Coulter.
“For me, I’ve been downstate seven times and I’ve won three championships,” Adams said. “All those times were never more gratifying than (Monday). The young man’s been through so much, and just to see him get that was so meaningful.”
Brown, likewise, is ready for the playoffs. On a team he feels he belongs with.
“I’ve got the right place, for sure,” Brown said. “It’s the culture, for sure, and I really love coach Lou. That’s my dog.”
