A Hendersonville Bearcat newcomer is carrying on the Britt basketball family tradition

There's a newcomer to Hendersonville High's boys basketball team this season, but for die-hard Bearcat fans, he's not really a newcomer at all.

His name is Jimmy Britt, who is a transfer from Mount Tabor in Winston-Salem. His last name should sound familiar to die-hard Bearcat basketball fans. He is the son of former Hendersonville High basketball star Bobby Britt, who was the Most Valuable Player of the 1992 1-A state championship game.

It was the last time Hendersonville won a basketball state title. Jimmy Britt said he's heard plenty of stories about that special year and about his legendary dad, who helped lead HHS to the 55-44 win over Bladenboro.

He's also heard plenty of stories about his father's high school coach.

A true family affair

Back in 1992, Hendersonville's boys basketball team was coached by Bobby Wilkins, who is now Hendersonville High's principal and has been for many years. Wilkins also has a special bond with Bobby Britt, and he should have. Wilkins is Britt's uncle.

"I am named after Uncle Bobby, and we have always had a special relationship," Bobby Britt said.

Wilkins said his sister and her husband lived in Hendersonville when Bobby Britt was born.

"They never missed a game," Wilkins said. "That was my junior year here, so they said they were going to name their son Bobby so he would be a great player like his uncle."

And he was, Wilkins said.

"Bobby was a very good player. He improved every game that year and by the end of the year he was a college prospect. He ended up at Brevard College and then transferred to Queens College in Charlotte. He listened and worked on every part of his game. He was very much a team player who cared about his teammates and it showed on that team," Wilkins said.

Bobby Britt did his uncle proud in that championship game. Wilkins still remembers every detail of that day and how the Bearcats earned the 1-A state title with his nephew leading the way.

"I believe he got 19 in the state final game and his 7-of-9 free throws in the final three minutes helped to sew it up for us," Wilkins said.

Bobby Britt graduated from Queens in 1996 and then ended up moving back to Winston-Salem after getting a job there. Recently moving back to Hendersonville mirrored what happened to him prior to that magical 1992 season.

An article in the Times-News in March of 1992 said that in 1990, Bobby Britt was a sophomore at RJ Reynolds High in Winston-Salem and saw that his Uncle Bobby's team (Hendersonville) got beat in the 1990 state finals game.

"He made the comment that it (playing for a state title) looked like a lot of fun," Wilkins said in the article. "In a joking kind of way I said he could get in on that fun if he moved to Hendersonville."

The Britt family ended up making the move to Hendersonville in April of 1991, and a year later, Bobby Britt found out just how much fun it was playing in a state title game.

Carrying on the Bearcat tradition

After Hendersonville had a long, successful run to the 2-A state title game in the spring, the team is wanting to get back there again this season. Jimmy Britt is hoping he can add a chapter to the Bearcat basketball tradition like his father and great uncle have already done.

"My whole childhood I grew up hearing about my dad and his stories about whenever he played, but the stories that always stuck out to me were his stories about playing for my (great) uncle Bobby Wilkins here at Hendersonville," Jimmy Britt said. "My favorite story was whenever the team won the state championship and he won the MVP of the state championship game. He told me that it 'was one of the best moments I remember feeling, winning that award and celebrating with the team.'”

The Bearcats have their two top scorers from last season back: Senior Dwight Canady and junior Keenan Wilkins, who both averaged over 20 points per game last season. Jimmy Britt is hoping to add yet another scoring threat for Hendersonville this season.

"Our goal as a team this year is to be the best and most in shape team in North Carolina. The ultimate goal and the next step in my career is to win a state championship, just like my dad," Jimmy Britt said.

Bobby Britt said he's excited to see his son carry on the Bearcat tradition.

"Jimmy grew up with stories from aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents hearing about what a special place Hendersonville High School is. My wife, Karen, and I are extremely proud of Jimmy and that he can be a part of this high school and carry on the tradition," Bobby Britt said.

Bobby Britt believes this year's team has a good shot at getting Hendersonville's first state title since his came in that incredible run in 1992.

"1992 was a very special year. We had some talent, but more importantly we had chemistry. I’ve seen this this year's team a few times and think they have what it takes to get it done again," he said.

'Welcomed with open arms'

Jimmy Britt was making headlines at Mount Tabor High but for a different sport, his father said.

"Last year at his previous high school, Jimmy was on track to be a pitcher at the next level," Bobby Britt said. "He was getting recruited by a few Division-I programs when he tore his UCL for a second time midseason. He was devastated and so was his mom and myself."

He worked hard in the offseason to recover, and after his family made the move back to Hendersonville, Jimmy said he's looking to be the best he can be in his final year of high school. At first, he was a little worried how he'd be treated as a newcomer, and so was his father.

Right before their first game against TC (Roberson), I was speaking with Uncle Bobby and whispered to him that I felt nauseous ... I was so nervous for Jimmy," Bobby Britt said.

But now, his son feels right at home.

"Honestly, it has been just like my dad told me it would be: Fun," Jimmy Britt said. "The change honestly has been great and everyone here, including students, teachers and teammates have welcomed me with open arms.

"Coach (Marvin) Featherstone has really helped me out as well. Coach has been by my side the whole time I have been up here, and I can't thank him enough for allowing me to come up here and play for the Bearcat dynasty."

Invaluable tips from his old man

Bobby Britt will always have that fighting spirit of a Bearcat. Basketball is just in his blood.

Jimmy Britt said he and his father play against each other all the time, and Jimmy said he's still looking to get that magical first victory over his dad.

"My dad is old, slow, and he gets winded very easily nowadays," Jimmy Britt said. "But he will always find a way to beat me. I’d like to think that there will be one day that I just whoop him, but until that day comes, he's got the edge on me."

Bobby Britt said he does give his son pointers ever now and then before he steps onto the court. He said he had one very important pointer before the start of this season.

"The first thing I told him when he moved to Hendersonville was to call Uncle Bobby 'Mr. Wilkins' while at school," Bobby Britt said. "Also, I told him God has a plan. It may not always be what we want but he has a plan and to trust it."

So far this season, Jimmy Britt has been putting in valuable minutes for the Bearcats, who, going into Wednesday's game against Asheville, were unbeaten at 7-0. Jimmy Britt is averaging nine points and 5.7 rebounds.

Featherstone said he and his players are happy to have a Britt on the Bearcat court once again.

"The players have shown him love since he's been here," the coach said. "He brings senior leadership to the team. The transition with the new players has been a learning process, but the guys are continuing to work hard and stay positive."

Featherstone won a state title as a player back in 1987 with Wilkins as his coach. He said it's great having another former player who won a state title back in the gym for both practices and games.

"It's been pretty fun having his dad show up to games and practices. He’s been helpful in pushing Jimmy to be the best player he can be in a new system," Featherstone said.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: A Hendersonville newcomer is carrying on the Britt basketball family tradition