KILGORE, TX (KLTV) -
Take a look up in the Kilgore gym and you won't see many championship banners.
"I'm use to just playing the schedule and being done," said Kilgore senior KB Brisendine.
Not a single boys basketball playoff appearance since 1982.
"I think it kind of shocks people," said Kilgore head coach Jeff Coleman.
Coleman knows all about winning. A state championship coach in Oklahoma, Coleman has been in the state tournament ten times. Two years ago he opted to leave success in the sooner state, for a losing team in Kilgore.
"First of all it's an outstanding challenge to see what kind of coach you really are," said Coleman.
Coleman is looking pretty good. In just his second year with the Bulldogs, Kilgore is in the playoffs. The first time in 3 decades.
"Everybody is surprised," said Kilgore senior Jerrick Massenburge. "We haven't been to the playoffs in 30 years. They're just surprised, happy and ready to win."
The players give much of the credit to their head coach.
"We never really had a good season since I've been here," said Brisendine. "Since coach Coleman has been here he's changed it around. He's mean. He yells at us and makes everything right."
That's a good thing.
"He's (Coleman) a very good coach," said Massenburge. "He turned the program around and I just want to thank him."
No thank you is necessary.
"It's a new adventure for them," said Coleman about his players. "That's my satisfaction."
Kilgore will tip off the bidistrict playoffs on Tuesday night against Greenville. The game is at 6 p.m. at Wills Point.
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