Chartiers Valley sharpshooter surpasses 1,000-point plateau
Whether playing basketball for Chartiers Valley High School in a raucous gymnasium, or shooting hoops in the quiet of his driveway, Brayden Reynolds hears it.
The sound thrills him.
“Swish,” Reynolds said. “One of my favorite things is hearing that ball go through the net. There is no better sound. The better the shooter, the more the swishes, the better the sound.”
This season, Reynolds has heard the sound of swishing basketballs so often that he is averaging 27.6 points per game. He sizzled for four consecutive 30-point plus games to start the 2021 campaign.
In the MLK Showcase, he tallied 25 in an 88-81 victory against powerhouse North Allegheny. Most recently, Reynolds tallied 19 points during CV’s 73-45 loss to No. 1 New Castle.
“Brayden is playing very good basketball right now,” said CV head coach Brandon Sensor. “He’s found some rhythm and is just rolling with it. He’s doing a good job of playing off the ball, giving the ball up and then getting it back — getting teammates involved.”
Sensor also pointed out his high field goal percentages. In his first three games, Reynolds converted 32 of 58 of his shots from the field, 11 of 21 from beyond the arc, which is good for 65%.
“Effective,” Sensors said. He said he did not expect Reynolds to score 30-plus points a night but he’s not surprised.
“His work ethic and commitment to becoming a better player is one of the best I’ve coached,” Sensor said. “He has worked on his skill set as well as becoming stronger and more explosive throughout the offseason and he is seeing the benefits.”
In addition to playing AAU basketball and lifting in his basement, Reynolds has trained exclusively with Christian Kezmarsky. His CK4 program is endorsed by several NBA professionals. Reynolds describes his daily routine as work with CK, shoot, shoot, eat dinner, spend time with family.
“What you put into something,” he said, “is what you get out of it.”
Since fourth grade, Reynolds has gotten much out of basketball.
He started playing when he saw a basketball sign-up sheet as his mother was driving him to football practice. He played football because his father was a standout, playing at Brashear High School and attending Ohio University before tearing his ACL, ending his career.
“Nobody in the family was a hooper,” said the 18-year-old son of Karie and Scott Reynolds.
“Basketball just clicked for me. I knew it was what I wanted to do,” he added. “So, I took it serious.”
With his father prodding him, Reynolds progressed.
“He taught me so many life lessons,” he said of his father. “Sure, he was hard on me but he wanted me to be better than I am. He saw what I could be.”
Reynolds is a 1,000-point scorer. He surpassed the milestone on Jan. 13 in a 64-62 overtime win over Lincoln Park. Not only did he drop in 34 points, he scored the game-winning bucket.
“I’ll remember 1,000 points longer than the game-winner,” he said. “Right now, that is real special for me. The highlight in my career so far.”
Reynolds made 1,000 points a goal after he watched former Chartiers Valley standout Matty McConnell reach that plateau. McConnell scored 2,018 career points. His brother, T.J., owns the school record with 2,406.
Reynolds remembers watching T.J. play when he was in the fifth grade and continues to follow his career but said he was closer to Matty because when he was in the seventh grade, then CV boys basketball coach Tim McConnell pulled him up and welcomed him into the program.
“So I was there when Matty scored his 1,000 points,” Reynolds said. “It was a special moment. An experience like none other.”
Reynolds’ own moment proved unique. The accomplishment occurred in the first quarter. Lincoln Park stopped the game and honored its guest by presenting him the game ball.
“I was amped up for the game and I had jitters,” said Reynolds, who was aware the milestone loomed. “I was glad to get it out of the way so my head could focus on the game. But what Lincoln Park did was very special and I thank them.”
Since the bus ride to Ellwood City, where the school is located, was a 50-minute drive from Chartiers Valley High School, Reynolds and his teammates had plenty of time to celebrate.
“It was one of my most memorable bus ride. A one-of-a-kind experience,” he said. “It was an emotional night, especially because it was a big win for us. We finally seemed to get over that hump. We have a lot of young guys filling roles. It looked like were were going to get run out of the gymnasium because we got down by 12 early. Normally a young team is losing in a tough situation like that. But we just looked at each other, dug deep and pulled the game out.”
Reynolds is the only starter back from last year’s section championship team. He averaged 19 points and six rebounds for the Colts, who reached the WPIAL Class 5A semifinals and the PIAA playoffs.
Reynolds is again steering CV’s success. The Colts were 7-0 until dropping their first game Jan. 19 against top-ranked New Castle.
“Brayden is a great leader for us,” Sensor said. “He knows what it takes to play and win at this level. His energy is contagious and when he gets going the guys around him do too. On offense he makes the guys around him better and creates a lot of open shots for his teammates. It’s hard to press us with Brayden in the game as he’s a great ball handler for us.
“We’re doing a good job as a team of stretching the court,” Sensor added. “That allows Brayden to use his skill set.”
At 6-3, 195 pounds, Reynolds has polished his all-around skills. He can bury the three as easily as deliver the dunk. Against New Castle, he buried three, 3-pointers and had an impressive jam in the first quarter.
“Yes, I’m a little surprised by my start but I have worked hard on my game,” Reynolds said. “Teams have to guard me from the 3-point range but I trust my handle. If I get around the rim, I will finish.”
Before he completes his career at CV, Reynolds said he hopes to win a WPIAL title and have an opportunity to compete for a state championship. He plans to eventually play in college and said playing for Duquesne or even Pitt are realistic goals. He has gained interest from Army, especially since he owns a 4.4 GPA.
“I told my mom that she did not have to pay for me to go to college,” Reynolds said. “I can do that. She said, ‘go get it’ so that is my goal to play in college. I looked at West Point last summer. It’s a tough decision, a big commitment, but opportunities all over the place. But right now, though, I just want my team to continue playing well.”
Age: 18
Birthday: July 20,
Parents: Karie and Scott
Siblings: Emma, 14
High School: Chartiers Valley
Year: Senior
GPA: 4.4
Community: Bridgeville
Sport: Basketball
Clubs: AAU for six years. Currently plays for Easy Street Family (ESF)
Dream school: Duke University. “Playing there is out of the question tough. Duquesne or Pitt are more realistic.”
Major: Sports management
School subject: English
Book: 1984
Movie: The Godfather
TV: Your Honor
Food: Pizza
Restaurant: Fiori’s “The original one.”
Color: Blue. “Has to do with Duke. It’s always been my school.”
Music: Pop Smoke or Lil Baby
Who would play you in a movie: Scott Eastwood
Dream Destination: Paris. “I want to see the Eiffel Tower. I hear it’s better in person than what you see in pictures.”
Do you speak French: “I do not. Spanish is my language.”
People might be surprised to know this about you: “My cousin, Nathan Bush, is a really good golfer. When he plays, I go with him. I’m starting to get good at it.”
Person you’d like to have dinner with: Kobe Bryant
Lesson sports has taught you: “The work you put in is the result you will see on the floor. You can’t be really good at something if you are not willing to really, really work at it. If you put the work in, you will succeed.”
In 15 years, I will be: “A dad. Hopefully, my kid will be better than me.”