Keitenn Bristow creating his own legacy as Holliday preps for state tournament
The Bristow name carries a lot of weight in Holliday. It carries a lot of weight in Wichita Falls for that matter.
And it’s not longer just because of Jalynn Bristow.
Keitenn Bristow has added his own legacy to the surname, and he’s now on the pinnacle of equaling his talented sister’s greatest athletic achievement to date.
Winning a state championship.
More: Keitenn Bristow guides Holliday boys basketball to state tournament berth
Just as his sister did a year ago, Bristow has spearheaded Holliday’s run to a state tournament appearance. It’s the first time since 1943 that the Eagles are in the state basketball tournament.
The eighth-ranked Eagles’ (34-2) Class 3A state semifinal matchup with No. 6 Ponder (36-6) is set for 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Alamodome in San Antonio. A victory would set the Eagles up against either No. 3 San Antonio Cole (32-9) or No. 1 Hitchcock (32-3) in the Class 3A state title game at 10 a.m. Saturday.
But Bristow hasn’t been trying to follow in his sister’s footsteps. He’s carving out his own path, trying to create his own legacy.
“I really don’t think people see me as Jalynn Bristow’s little brother,” Bristow said. “I think it’s just that we’re siblings. We’re two different people who happen to both be good at basketball.
“She did set a high bar for me, but it’s not necessarily something that I have to hold myself to. This is something that we’ve both always been chasing. We’re chasing being the best we can. I don’t really compare myself to her that way.”
Regardless, the comparisons are too easy to make, especially now that the Eagles are at the state tournament a little more than a year after the Lady Eagles claimed the Class 3A title with Jalynn Bristow being named MVP of the championship game.
“To me, it should be every team’s goal to win a state title,” Keitenn said. “That’s what we’re going for. We’ve got the team to do it.”
The team surrounding Bristow has picked up its play considerably since the postseason started. Holliday has been dominant in the playoffs, winning each game by at least 11 points. Whether it’s been Josh Bruggeman making six 3-pointers in a game, Grant Cox averaging a double-double or Ashtyn Berry playing multiple roles, the Eagles are currently playing their best basketball.
“The whole team has really picked it up in the playoffs,” Holliday coach Kyle Tucker said. “Grant went off during the regional tournament. We feel really good about how we’re playing right now.”
And nothing makes Bristow happier than seeing his teammates thriving around him.
“I get a lot of attention, but we have a really good team. I love my teammates,” Bristow said. “We’ve been taking this game by game. We don’t look too far ahead. It’s a next game mentality. We’re all about the present. What are we gonna do next game? How are we gonna play differently? How are we gonna smoke the next team?
“That’s how we have to stay until we win it all.”
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Holliday senior Keitenn Bristow leads Eagles to Class 3A state tourney
