‘Their hearts were in the right place’: Hilliard Bradley boys basketball enjoying bounce-back season
Thursday, January 22, 2026
By Michael Rich
mrichnotwealthy@gmail.com
Hillard Bradley junior Ben Mirgon (middle) drives to the basket during the Jaguars’ home win over Dublin Coffman last Friday. Photo: Kevin Rouch
As Brett Norris traversed the roads on his way home from seeing two of his sons play some eight and a half hours away in Homewood, Alabama, he reflected on some of the sacrifices of being a basketball coach and a father.
It was the first time Norris got to travel down south to Samford University to watch Cade and Keaton play. When Blake Barkley tapped in Jaylen Smith’s miss with 4 seconds left, it was an unhappy ending for the Norris’s Bulldogs, who fell to East Tennessee State 76-75 on Jan. 17.
Still, it was a joyous weekend for the Norris family, including wife Carrie, his oldest son Braden and youngest son Kypton.
“Our oldest works for the Hornets now,” Brett said. “He was able to get there too. So, it was great to have everybody there. It was a tough loss, but it was great to see everybody in person.”
Braden graduated from Bradley in 2017 before playing at Oakland University and then Loyola Chicago. Keaton, a 2021 Bradley graduate, played at Wright State before transferring to Samford for his final season. Cade played one season at Illinois State before moving on to Samford. He graduated from Bradley in 2024.
Kypton, a sophomore, is the fourth son to play for Brett with the Jaguars. It was their first time making the trip.
“My wife is the road warrior,” Brett said. “I think she’s been seven or eight times. She’s not afraid to travel alone. (Not being able to go because of coaching) is part of the personal sacrifice. I’ve (coached) my whole life and I still love it. But there’s a personal sacrifice that’s tough.”
Hilliard Bradley sophomore Kypton Norris (1), who leads the Jaguars with an average of 17.3 points per game, takes a jumper against Dublin Coffman. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Brett has built a program at Bradley that’s had remarkable consistency since he arrived before the 2014-15 season after 10 years at Delphos St. John’s and another six at Hilliard Darby.
The Jaguars hadn’t finished above .500 in their first five years of existence before Brett Norris’ arrival. Since then, they’ve won five league championships and three district titles, making it as far as the regional final round in 2018 and 2020. The latter was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Then, last year happened. Bradley went 8-15 overall and 3-7 in the stout OCC-Central Division, falling to eventual Division I state runner-up Reynoldsburg 57-51 in a district final.
“As challenging as it was on the scoreboard, the one thing I felt like we had with our kids was their head and their heart were in the right place,” Coach Norris said. “(It) gives you the opportunity to learn from things, to grow and to get better. Even though the results were difficult when you’ve got good people, and the kids were as invested as they were. They’re gonna continue to get better.”
They did get better. The Jaguars are 13-2 overall and 4-1 in the OCC-Central, a game ahead of Dublin Coffman, Olentangy Orange and Upper Arlington at the halfway point of the league schedule.
“It was rough last year, for sure. We, unfortunately, were the team that didn’t meet the standard of Hilliard Bradley basketball,” junior guard Ben Mirgon said. “We were young last year and we weren’t quite ready for the fight of our tough league. I mean, our league was unbelievable last year.
“We have a good core group of guys back this year. We all just kept our heads down this offseason and worked super hard together all the time.”
Bradley lost to Cincinnati LaSalle 46-42 on Nov. 29 to open the season. But the next game may have been a turning point. The Jaguars won 54-48 in overtime at UA Dec. 5 to open OCC-Central play.
Hilliard Bradley sophomore Jayden Reed-Davis lays it in for the Jaguars against Dublin Coffman in an OCC contest last Friday. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Their only loss since was a 66-47 decision at Orange Jan. 9. Bradley hosts UA Jan. 23 to begin the second half of the league schedule.
“Yeah, (UA) was for sure a big win (at) their place. They have a great atmosphere and a great team,” said Mirgon, who’s older brother, AJ, is a 2022 graduate. “Just being able to pull that one out late, showing our growth, being able to finish games and just be able to compete for all (36) minutes of the game. It showed real growth of our team from last year, which we struggled with. And just we built momentum from there on.”
Mirgon is averaging 16.9 points, 5.3 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.
Kypton Norris, a guard, leads the team with 17.3 points per game, adding 3.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and sophomore forward Jayden Reed-Davis is averaging 12.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.
Guard Jordan Reed-Davis is the only senior on the roster. Junior forward Will Mojica and sophomores Anderson Felix (guard) and Saron Stewart (forward) fill out the rotation for the Jaguars.
Kypton Norris has always looked up to his older brothers. Keaton is averaging 10.7 points and 4.1 rebounds and Cade 8.1 points and 4.6 rebounds this season for the Bulldogs, who are 9-11 overall and 4.5 in the Southern Conference.
“I feel like I have something from all three of them,” Kypton said. “They’re all really good shooters, but Braden’s probably the best and I feel like I’m up there with him shooting-wise. I’m a little twitchy like (Keaton) and (I’m like) Cade – (being) able to get the rim and being more physical.
“I’ve always been around (basketball) since a young age. Being in the gym watching my older brothers. Honestly, I just fell in love with the game (because) of that.”
Hilliard Bradley head coach Brett Norris, in his twelfth year leading the Jaguars, directs the action from the sidelines. Photo: Kevin Rouch
More Photos
Senior Jordan Reed-Davis looks to pass. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Sophomore Anderson Felix passes. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Junior Will Mojica shoots from the corner. Photo: Kevin Rouch