NILES — Going into Tuesday’s game, Brandywine was already 2-0, but head coach Josh Hood emphasized over the weekend that just because the team’s jerseys say Brandywine does not mean the team will automatically be successful.

“You have to go out and earn it,” Hood said.

The Bobcats earned their 57-40 win over a strong Kalamazoo Christian team with a track record of making it to regionals. It is that reason that Hood believes in scheduling games against teams like the Comets, who he called a “perennial powerhouse.”

“You earn your stripes playing in these games,” Hood said. “Being a competitor and competing at a high level.”

Trailing Kalamazoo Christian by four points at the end of the first quarter, the Bobcats started a little shaky and failed to hit shots from their usual spots outside the 3-point line. On defense, they immediately began a full-court press, which Hood has implemented for the 11 years he has coached at Brandywine. He calls it “32 minutes of chaos.”

Through the press, the Bobcats were able to start limiting the Comets’ offensive play. 

“When you watch [Kalamazoo Christian] last year and their first game this year, they are really good at executing the half-court,” Hood said. “They are so long and athletic. They are tough to defend.”

In order to disrupt Kalamazoo Christian’s rhythm, Brandywine used pressure. Despite being not as fast or as long, the Bobcats were successful in shutting down several of the Comets’ drives, and keeping the ball on their side of the court. The Comets also struggled with several traveling calls during both halves, leading to quick turnovers for the Bobcats.

The second quarter is where Brandywine started to dictate both sides of the ball, something Hood has been waiting to see since the start of the season.

“We were physical. We were fast, and we were very unselfish,” he said.

To help Brandywine take over the lead, senior Megan Schmidt shined on defense and once again proved her status as a two-time all-conference player.

“It’s nice to have a four-year player like Megan Schmidt,” Hood said. “She doesn’t get to press for points, but when you can put her on the other team’s best player, she shuts them down. Her defense is better than anyone.

At the end of the half, Brandywine led Kalamazoo 29-23.

Brandywine continued to control the game in the second half, especially in the fourth quarter, when the Bobcats outscored Kalamazoo 18-8.

Senior Zakiyyah Abdullah led Brandywine and all scorers with 20 points.

“I am extremely proud of our team tonight,” Hood said. “[Kalamazoo Christian] is a great program. The team they got over there is a team you will probably see in the future when you get to march madness.”

Hood also commended Kennedy Byrd, an all-conference player, on her rebounding. Standing at 5-foot-7, the senior post player had 19 rebounds, and found herself shooting from the free throw line often after Kalamazoo failed to block her shots without fouling.

Hood said the team is still a work in progress and far from a finished product — a message he shares with his team. He added the Bobcats are still finding their legs with the style they play.

Brandywine will look to stay undefeated against Bridgman in BCS Athletic Conference Red Division play on Friday.

But on Tuesday night, Hood said it was time to enjoy a victory.

“For tonight, we need to enjoy this because we just beat a very good basketball team and played very hard,” he said.