Austin Knapp wasn’t in the holiday spirit during the second weekend of December.

Instead of shopping for Christmas gifts, the Brandywine High School junior was focused on improving his play on the basketball court.

“My shot was gone in the first two games so I got in the gym and shot a lot,” said Knapp.

Hours at Brandywine High School and Brandywine Elementary School paid off as Knapp had his best offensive game of the year on Dec. 15 against River Valley. Knapp scored a season-high 17 points, including two 3-pointers in a 63-30 Brandywine win. He had totaled only 18 points in the Bobcats’ first two games against Hartford and Buchanan.

Knapp helped his team pull away from the Mustangs in the second quarter. The 6-foot-4 forward scored 10 points during the second quarter which was part of a 12-0 run which gave Brandywine a commanding 23-3 lead with 5:53 left in the second quarter.

Knapp was still on the court despite picking up his third foul with 6:50 left in the second quarter.

“I thought I was going to come out,” Knapp said. “I also thought I could play smart enough and not pick up another foul.

“I just wanted to get our team going and pick it up on offense.”

No more fouls were called on Knapp the rest of the game as he finished with five rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots to go with his points.

Brandywine boys basketball coach Nathan Knapp, who is also Austin’s father, had made the right move by keeping his son in the game.

“We couldn’t let River Valley stick around,” Nathan said. “I had to keep Austin on the court. I felt that we needed him out there to get us going.”

Austin, who’s a three-year starter on the varsity, has taken seriously his role as being a team leader. Austin, along with Matt Vaughn, Zach Schmidt and Andrew Duckett are team captains.

“I feel like I have to step up more as a leader and try to help my teammates get going,” Austin said.

“He’s a leader now,” Nathan said about his son. “He’s got his temper under control a little bit. He pushes everyone.”

The Brandywine coach also notices improvement in several areas of Austin’s game.

“He’s a little bit quicker on his feet and his decision making is a lot better,” Nathan said. “He looks to attack the basket, instead of pulling up with a 15-footer and floating.”

Austin feels that he can still improve when it comes to his defensive play.

“I pick up too many cheap fouls,” he said.

Austin, who said he started shooting a basketball when he was two-years old, is enjoying his time playing for his father. Even though, at times, it can challenging.

“We butt heads sometimes, but he’s still my coach and I have to respect him,” Austin said. “He’s there to help me.”

The tough love seems to be working.