UPCOMING: Tech-nical adjustments for Reese with Red Raiders

Slowly but surely former Laurel Hill basketball star Brad Reese is getting used to his new surroundings.

Reese, who starred the past two years for Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, is now deep in the heart of Texas in Lubbock, where he’ll continue his career at Texas Tech.

The transition from the Gulf Coast to the heartland of Texas has been somewhat of an adjustment, as has the life at a big-time program.

“It was hard at first, but I’m, getting used to the Division I work ethic,” Reese said. “You are training your body to play hard every possession. My body is more mature than it was at the high school level so I’ll be OK.

“I just need to work on playing hard every possession and going (through workouts) three or four times a day.”

Reese decided to enroll at Texas Tech this summer after discussing things with coach Pat Knight, son of legendary coach Bobby Knight.

“I felt it was best for me coming from JUCO,” he said. “Coming in both summer session will get me ready for the practice in the fall.

“We worked out (during the summer at Gulf Coast), but wasn’t up-tempo like it is here. It was less work.”

It’s not as if Reese is experiencing Division I basketball for the first time. He signed with Southeastern Louisiana out of high school, but was redshirted his freshman year, leading to his decision to transfer to Gulf Coast.

But not even his experience at Southeastern could completely prepare him for the transition for life at a Big 12 school.

“Some of the stuff we did at Southeast helped me,” Reese said, “but this is even a higher level and they expect a lot more of you.”

After a touch of being homesick, Reese is starting to enjoy his life in the big time.

“The way they treat you is great,” he said. “Everybody treats you good.

“They have so many trainers to help you with everything. And they have great facilities.”

Read the full story in the June 27 edition of the Crestview News Bulletin