Hoops, Heart & Hard Work: The Caiden Brewer Story

The remarkable transformation of East Henderson High School's basketball program serves as a powerful reminder that with vision, dedication, and the right leadership, extraordinary things can happen. 

Coach Jones arrived six years ago to a program that had managed just 16 wins against 58 losses in the four previous seasons. What followed was a methodical rebuilding process that culminated this year in an unprecedented 27-1 record – the most wins in school history and East Henderson's first-ever undefeated regular season. 

The heart of this success story features senior Caiden Brewer, Henderson County's all-time leading scorer with over 2,300 career points. Beyond his athletic prowess (28 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3.5 steals per game), Brewer exemplifies true student-athlete excellence – ranking in the top ten of his class with a 4.0+ GPA and scoring 28 on his first ACT attempt.

What makes this journey special is how deeply it's rooted in relationships. Many team members, including Brewer, have played together since elementary school recess games. This season even gave Caiden the opportunity to share the court with his younger brother Jalen, creating memories that transcend the record books.

The community rallied behind this special team, packing gymnasiums and creating an electric atmosphere that Coach Jones describes as surpassing even his collegiate coaching experiences. Now, both Coach Jones and Brewer have been invited to represent their school and community at the United World Games in Italy and Austria – Coach Jones as head coach of the U19 team and Brewer as a player.

Want to support these hometown heroes as they take their talents to the international stage? Visit the fundraising pages shared on social media to help offset travel costs for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Your contribution helps showcase Henderson County's finest on the global basketball stage.

Transcript

Introduction to George Real Estate Group

Speaker 1 0:00

Hello friends, thank you so much for being here. This is the George Real Estate Group podcast, which is a production of our live weekly radio shows hosted on multiple radio stations here in Hendersonville, north Carolina. The George Real Estate Group serves Western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina and it is a privilege to share positive news about our local real estate market and community. Thanks so much for subscribing and, of course, if you have any real estate questions or if we can help you in any way, be sure to reach out. Visit us at georgerealestategroupradiocom for more information. Good morning and welcome to the Georgia Real Estate Group radio broadcast here every Monday morning right after the nine o'clock hour on the Q. So grateful to be here with you and we've got a lot of exciting things to cover this morning. I hope you're having a great day. Happy Monday so much to be thankful for If you're tuning in for the first time ever.

Speaker 1 0:56

The George Real Estate Group is located in Flat Rock, right next to the Flat Rock Bakery, hubba Hubba Barbecue, who is now open. Now Our friends at Hubba hubba barbecue they were in hibernation for the winter. Hubba loo and also campfire grill. Great restaurants, all local and independent restaurants and businesses there. The wrinkled egg as well, the george real estate groups, local and independent as well. We serve all of western north carolina and the upstate south carolina. We have an incredible group of agents. We're growing, we're hiring we've actually already helped more people this year than we did last year and just so thankful to serve the community through real estate. You can find us online at realestatebygregcom. You can also follow us on social media Instagram and Facebook and then we also podcast all of our radio shows and, of course, just call us. You can give us a call at 828-393-0134, 828-393-0134.

Speaker 1 1:45

Well, the market continues to move and just a quick snapshot I mean the average single-family home price in Henderson County is at over $550,000. We still see strong demand. We're averaging some 124 single-family homes a month selling, some 14 condos a month selling, which are about 10% of our market, and then just low inventory levels, and so I do anticipate I mean we typically see during the spring, more inventory hitting the market, but there's also increased demand, and so we anticipate the market to remain about the same in the sense of supply and demand. But of course we know real estate happens around life. It could be a really positive reason why you're buying or selling. It could be a challenging reason.

Speaker 1 2:23

Whatever it might be, we'd be honored to interview for the job. There's no pressure, there's no cost, there's no obligation. You can give us a call at 828-393-0134. Again, if you're just curious about the market, if you're curious about investing in real estate, if you're curious about a career in real estate, we're so honored this morning to have student Caden Brewer of East Henderson High School and also Coach Jones. You guys again congratulations, coach Jones, and to Caden Brewer. You guys had. It was the. Was it a first undefeated season for East Hendersonville men's basketball team?

Speaker 2 3:06

Yes, sir, it was the most games we've won at East. Last year we set the record with 24 wins and this year we were fortunate enough to have an undefeated season and, I guess, have the record set in 27 wins this year.

Henderson County Real Estate Market Update

Speaker 1 3:22

That's incredible and for our listeners. The Q actually broadcasted the game the last playoff games you guys had but I was so excited to have you guys come and share with our listeners about your experience. There's also some exciting news to share with our community about what's happening this summer with both of you. But let's back up for a second. This is this was your coach, jones. This was your sixth season here at east that's correct.

Speaker 1 3:50

Yes, sir and prior to that, people may or may not have realized this you were a collegiate athlete, but also a collegiate coach in south carolina yes, sir.

Speaker 2 4:02

Um, I, I played at Limestone College, which is now Limestone University. I was fortunate enough this October to go into the Limestone Hall of Fame as a player and I coached 13 years there. I coached 10 years as an assistant coach, two as the associate head coach and one year as the interim head coach at limestone. Yes, sir that's amazing.

Speaker 1 4:25

Now there was a connection between uh, I mean, how? How did you end up at east henderson a high school?

Speaker 2 4:33

that's a good, good question. Um, the principal now, uh, brandon scott, who, um, I worked for and with um for 12 of those years, uh, we, we, we. We both did a really good job of growing that program together and he left and went to be the assistant principal and athletic director here at East where he graduated from, and that's when I took over as the interim head coach and they chose to go in a different direction the year after and he reached out to me and said they had a opening here at East and, and I tell you it was the best decision I've made in my lifetime, I can tell you that truly in life's interesting like that, like when we get redirected.

Speaker 1 5:15

I mean, I'm sure at the time it didn't feel good when, when the opportunity at Limestone was passed oh yeah, I was crushed.

Speaker 2 5:23

I was crushed, but um, they say a lot man, you just don't know what you got until um you're gone. And I love limestone. I still go there and celebrate um the games with the new head coach and uh, but they have not been as good of a program since me and Mr Scott left, if I can tell you that.

Speaker 1 5:48

That is thank you for sharing that. And, by the way, look at what you've done. I mean when you inherited the program here at East Henderson. I mean, let's talk about that. I mean again, all programs tend to have an ebb and flow, depending on just the leadership, the longevity of the program, the coaching staff and regardless of what you inherited. Do you remember that first season here at East?

Speaker 2 6:15

I do. I remember it very, very well that first season. I tell you that was one of my best coaching jobs I've done, due to the fact that they were 16 and 58 in the past four years before I got there.

Speaker 1 6:31

Hold on, say that again. East Henderson's basketball program prior to you coming was 16 wins and 58 losses.

Speaker 2 6:39

That's correct. Yeah, yeah, um. So my first year, we these, the guys that we had, man they worked their tail off just to help me create the culture that I wanted. I knew it wasn't going to amount to a lot of wins, but we were in a lot of games that we shouldn't have been in due to the fact that they believed in me. Um, we, we were, at one time, five and four and we beat West, which they hadn't done in 10 years, so we were celebrating, man.

Speaker 2 7:10

It was a big deal, and so people then started to take us serious, and we went on to lose 14 straight games to end the season at five and 18.

Speaker 1 7:21

Oh, isn't that fascinating right? Yes, sir, there's a lot to learn from that.

Speaker 2 7:26

No question, you know, I think people just didn't prepare for East. They knew it was going to be a win. But when I took over the way, I had the guys believing in what I was teaching and preaching and like people started taking us serious. We had the game plan for us and we were in a lot of games that we shouldn't have been in just due to the fact that we just didn't have enough talent. But that year was one of my best years of coaching. I can tell you that Five and 18, we can wash it away but what those guys done for me, those seniors and juniors that played for me.

Speaker 2 7:58

And how they played their heart out, oh man, every day, Every day, not only in games, but more so in practice. How they competed and listened to me and trusted me just off, knowing me for one, two, three months just off knowing me for one, two, three months.

East Henderson Basketball Success Story

Speaker 1 8:11

Right, that was a lot of trust on their part. I mean, you're brand new to the program, so your first season there, only five wins, 5-18,. You said yes, sir. And then here we are six years later, six years later, and we have Caden Brewer here with us this morning. I mean, and we want to talk, I want to let you introduce, caden, but you guys had a 27-1 season, undefeated regular season and the most wins ever East Henderson men's basketball program has ever had in a season.

Speaker 2 8:47

Yes, sir, it's still surreal to say that we was 27-1. And I know you know Caden is a huge, huge part of what we've done for the past four years. But I do want to shed light on his teammates. Man, we had a complete team. Yes, caden was one of our best players and arguably one of the best players that ever played in Henderson County, and due to the fact that he's the all-time leading scorer in Henderson County, 2,000-plus points in your career.

Speaker 1 9:20

Is that right?

Speaker 3 9:21

Yeah, like almost 2,300. Phenomenal.

Speaker 1 9:25

I mean that alone is incredible. Now you shared with us earlier just some of the awards that are coming out and things that have been shared and we want to go back to his teammates. But let's real quick share about the awards that Cadence received.

Speaker 2 9:43

Yeah, he's the two-time Mountain 7 Player of the Year. Now he's the two-time North Carolina District 12 Player of the Year. Now he's the two-time North Carolina District 12 Player of the Year and last year, as a junior, he was the Western North Carolina Player of the Year, which that award hadn't came out yet. I would be shocked if he did not win that again this year. 28 points, six rebounds, five assists, three and a half steals and just what his motor and what he does most for us. He's 28 points, six rebounds, five assists, three and a half steals, and just what is his motor and what he does most for us is just his leadership and how he goes by his day.

Speaker 1 10:19

Well, and let's talk about that off the court, right. Top ten student in your senior class, I mean, that alone is incredible.

Speaker 2 10:29

Yeah, it is. We preach in our basketball program the three things in this order Been a great student first, and he has knocked it out. The park Kid got a 28 on his ACT on one time.

Speaker 2 10:43

On the first try, yeah, and he's a guy. I'm proud of doing him a disservice. He got over a 4.0 GPA, so he's an awesome student and then we teach. Secondly, being a great person. You know student, a person, player and the person he is and where he come from, the background he's had his parents has done an awesome job of just creating that within him and obviously we all know him as a player and what he achieved throughout his high school career.

Speaker 1 11:11

Incredible Kaden. This is again. Congratulations on all the accolades, congratulations on an incredible season, I mean. But this has been four years of an incredible run under Coach Jones. But you were sharing. You and I had a conversation earlier where you grew up with your teammates. I mean, you've been playing basketball with them since first grade.

Speaker 3 11:33

Yeah, I mean yeah, we all went to school With a lot of the guys. I went to school with them since elementary school and we grew up, you know, recess, playing football, tag, basketball, whatever it is but you know, I've had a great relationship with them growing up and then, obviously, like I've grew up my whole life with my younger brother. He's only three and a half years younger than me. He's the one who actually got me into basketball and then to play on the team with him this year. It was just a real family.

Speaker 1 12:01

That was a big deal, because your younger brother's three years younger than you. He was a freshman and for him to be able to play, I mean it's incredible. You guys got to play together, which is awesome I mean once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for that, when you reflect on the four years, but also when you reflect on this season any particular moment stands out to you.

Speaker 3 12:30

I mean probably winning our first ever conference tournament, because that was my sophomore year.

Speaker 1 12:34

Three years ago.

Speaker 3 12:35

Yeah, that was my sophomore year and we had just came off our first playoff appearance in seven, eight years and so coming back into the year like I had gotten better. You know we had high hopes for the team and earlier in the year one of our best, best players, one of our best bigs got hurt and it kind of led to us losing a couple games that we shouldn't have lost. And you know we went into tournament time. I think we're the fourth seed, went into tournament time, the fourth seed with a below 500 record.

Speaker 3 13:07

I mean you're the underdogs yeah, and we ended up beating the one, the five seed, the one seed and the three seed and went in the tournament and it was just.

Speaker 1 13:17

It was big because we'd never done that before incredible turnaround for for east henderson, but that stands out as to one of your biggest, uh, greatest memories of your time there. Yeah, yeah, incredible. Coach jones was about to talk about the players before I interrupted him, but talk about your teammates.

Coach Jones' Journey to East Henderson

Speaker 3 13:36

I mean, yeah, it's cool to see the growth of everybody through the past four years but even over like a lifetime, like people like Kyle Bailey, like seeing how he's matured and like gotten way better and he was a huge piece to us winning games this year. Riley Adams like that was really like my running man back in the day, like that was my guy. We played on the same rec team Like we would go win games and I mean it's just cool, jalen, my little brother, him getting bigger, getting better, helping us win games. You know Like everybody just played a part. Everybody played a part, even the guys who didn't really get in the game a lot. Our bench, the energy, the you know like camaraderie, like everyone's cheering for each other. We all want to win. It's just, you know, a great big family.

Speaker 1 14:22

It's incredible how did, how did you guys feel um, how did you feel from the community, the support.

Speaker 2 14:31

Well, this year, well the past two years, it's been overwhelming, Like I've never experienced anything like this and, like I said, I coached at the collegiate level and that has nothing on what we've done the past couple years here with the community support, the love we get from our fans, just everybody in the community, especially when you're not only winning, but when you're winning the right way and you're playing basketball the right way and you're putting out a good product and the people they see that and for them to show so much love, not only to me but to our players and just our fans and our student section.

Speaker 1 15:11

Man, it was remarkable to see the past couple years, for sure it's incredible I mean truly incredible what you uh, coach jones and your team, uh and caden and all your teammates and the leadership and the, the staff and everybody that made it all possible uh, so honored to have you guys here with us this morning. Uh, sharing with our community about the East Henderson basketball program and, again, the journey you guys have been on. We have to take a short break. You're listening to the George Willis Group radio broadcast here in the queue every Monday morning, but please stay tuned in. We are literally. We have this huge announcement and it's already been out there, but we're going to be talking about um, coach jones and kate and brewer when we come back from the break. We're going to talk about they were invited to the united world games and so stay tuned in. We're going to talk more about that when we come.

Speaker 1 16:11

The market changes. Interest rates rise and fall. Headlines tell a different story every day, but here's what hasn't changed People still need to buy and sell homes. At the George Real Estate Group, we've been navigating the ups and downs of the real estate market for over 20 years. We've seen it all and we know what it takes to sell your home for top dollar, no matter the conditions, buyers are still out there and with the right strategy, marketing and negotiation, your home can sell faster and for more than you might think. If you've been waiting for the perfect time to sell, it's now. Let's sit down, talk strategy and make a plan.

Speaker 1 16:56

Call the george real estate group today at 828-393-0134 and find us online at realestatebygregcom. And don't forget to connect with us on social media and follow our podcast. Welcome back. You're listening to the George Real Estate Group radio broadcast here on the Q every Monday morning. We've been having a wonderful conversation with Coach Jones and Caden Brewer of the East Henderson High School and basketball team and I shared right before the break, and I'm so excited to share this information with you. If you're not aware of it already, caden Brewer and Coach Jones were invited to the United World Games. When did you guys find out about this?

Speaker 2 17:39

Well for me. I found out that I was going to be the head coach of the 19U team maybe a couple months ago, where I didn't know the details of it, I just agreed to it. A guy out of California reached out to me and asked me was I interested in coaching that team? And I thought about it a couple days, talked to my wife and I know it's going to take some time out of our summer schedule, but I agreed to it and it was one of the really good I guess to say fortunate situation for me as a coach.

Speaker 2 18:16

Incredible opportunity, yes, to go and coach over in Europe for sure.

Speaker 1 18:22

And you guys. Again, you got selected as the coach to the United 19, under 19, us team at the event. And again it's the global stage and it's going to be in Italy, in Austria. And then Caden when did you find out you were invited to come play as a player.

Speaker 3 18:41

I found out a little bit after Coach Jones like he was the one who kind of introduced me into the opportunity he was like how would you like to do this? Would this be something you're interested in?

Speaker 1 18:53

And I said yes, and then we got into working the details with the same guy who reached out to him and yeah, and, by the way, you found out about this a couple months ago, in the middle of this undefeated regular season that you had, and so I'm sure you know you had to sort of put it in the back of your mind, you're like, because we got to focus on, on the season that was at hand yeah, it was.

Speaker 2 19:15

It was hard to to not celebrate that opportunity, um, but I that's one thing. I am really good at just taking it one day at a time and being present where I am, um. So we talked about it and we celebrated with each other, we gave each other a big hug and congratulations to each other, but we got back to work right after.

Building the Basketball Program Culture

Speaker 1 19:33

And which you did, and again, the incredible season you had. And then again the heartbreak of that last game. Again, I don't know of any other way to say it Just incredible resilience and heart you guys played with and again. So I'm sure you're still processing everything, but what a bittersweet moment I'm sure it is, again reflecting on the season you guys had. But then for your opportunity to go on and coach still coach Caden this summer in the United World Games. So you guys are going to be in Italy, in Austria Again, by the way, we want to share with our listeners. There's an opportunity to support both of you and it's just an expensive undertaking.

Speaker 2 20:20

Yeah, it is. We need help from our community. Yeah, it is. We need help from our community just to help with the cost of travel and lodging and just the day-to-day things that's going to be happening over there outside of basketball, because we are trying to do some educational stuff when we're there, and all that is going to cost us. We are raising money. We have it all over Facebook. It's been shared, you can. You know his mom, becky Brewer, has it up on her page. Josh English, who is an assistant coach of mine, is on his page on Facebook and it also is on my page and many, many more outlets that you can give to.

Speaker 1 21:03

Yes, and again it's a. Again there's significant costs, but again incredible opportunity for both of you to go represent East Henderson and Hendersonville on the World Games. I mean this is exciting. Have you ever had any experience like this before?

Speaker 2 21:21

Well, in 2018, I took a group of guys who just graduated from college over to Dominican Republic to play against the professional teams there to earn a contract, and I was the coach there for two or three weeks, and so we traveled to different places over in the DR and it was an awesome experience. But I was doing it with guys who was going to into their professional career. But this is different. Like you know, these are guys are, you know, graduating high school, who is, you know, is trying to, and some of them already signed to go to college and just the experience and hopefully that they can take that experience and see if they have the opportunity to play at that next level after their collegiate career. Then they will have a little bit of experience with that after their collegiate career, which I know Caden is going to have a great opportunity to play professional at some point during his career.

Speaker 1 22:19

That's awesome, Caden any indication about the future with college or opportunities. You're still looking at all your options, is that right?

Speaker 3 22:28

Yeah, still trying to figure it out. Keep playing the waiting game and find out the best opportunity, best situation.

Speaker 1 22:35

That's awesome. I'm going to ask you guys we're in North Carolina are you Duke or Carolina fans, or neither?

Speaker 2 22:44

I'll speak for me. I'm neither, but I love the camaraderie that the Duke and North Carolina fans have. The fight and the grit I love that, but I'm a huge, huge Tennessee volunteer.

Speaker 1 22:57

Okay, that's awesome. Do you have a? I respect that for sure.

Speaker 3 23:08

And Caden, do you have a favorite?

Speaker 1 23:09

team of of yours growing up. Uh, yeah, it's not north carolina, okay, who is it?

Speaker 3 23:11

uh, so all my family's from georgia. So I was raised, you know, a real bulldog okay, there we go again.

Speaker 1 23:16

That's, that's awesome, uh, caden, I guess. One more question any, any or is there any? Uh, is there some advice, or best advice that stands out in your mind under Coach Jones when you look back over your time here? Is there anything that stands out to you? I know I'm putting you on the spot, but, man, is there something that you're going to hold on to in your experience under Coach Jones?

Speaker 3 23:39

Just like competing and fighting and working hard. Like you know, you can never compete too much. Like you know, you always gotta fight and compete. It doesn't matter if you're the team's better than you, the players are better than you like. I know it's gonna sound cliche, but hard work beats talent. Whenever talent fails to work hard like as long as you're working and competing you're always gonna have a chance to do what you want to do absolutely Absolutely, and I agree.

Speaker 1 24:04

There's actually a book, you might have heard of it Talent is Overrated. You're right, it's not cliche. I mean hard work always outperforms talent. You can be the most talented person, whether it's sports or business or whatever, but it's those that show up, I mean, and luck shows up. For those that show up, I mean luck, it didn't you weren't lucky, because I mean it's the hard work that you put in. Thank you for that. That is some great advice to remember, whether it's in sports or life, or you know business, I mean, you know hard work always pays off. That is some great advice. Caden, thank you so much, and Coach Jones too. We're so grateful to have you both here and again. Congratulations on the incredible season. Congratulations, coach Jones, on six years and here's to the next six years, right, yes?

Speaker 2 24:51

sir, at East, we're excited about it. We're excited about it.

Speaker 1 24:54

A huge future ahead for the East Henderson basketball program. And again, caden, congratulations and wish you the best with all your endeavors as you move forward. And to our listeners, be sure to check out all the different social media outlets as to supporting Coach Jones and Caden Brewer with their trip to the United World Games. And of course, you can reach out to us. We'll put this on our blog as well. We'll have ways for you to give and donate. Be sure to share. There's opportunities to sponsor and also support fundraising events. I mean every dollar counts in helping these two amazing members of our community. You know, go to the World Game United World Games and represent Hendersonville, represent East Henderson High School.

Speaker 1 25:33

Thank you both for being here this morning. And to our listeners, we're grateful to be here every Monday morning sharing with you positive news about our community, positive news about the real estate market. And again, of course, if we can help you in any way, give us a call 828-393-0134. Find us online at realestatebygregcom. Also, again, congratulations to the East Henderson basketball program. Again, six years in the making, but a historic 27-1 season. And again, caden, not only an athlete, but again top 10 in your class. So again, thank you both for everything you're doing for our community and we're grateful to have you here on the show. Thank you.

Speaker 2 26:12

Thank you.

Speaker 1 26:12

Thank you for having us Absolutely Okay Again to our community. Thank you, have a wonderful day, have a wonderful week and we'll see you next Monday. Thank you day.

Caden Brewer: Record-Breaking Player

Speaker 4 26:34

The George Real Estate Group has the experience of selling over 1,200 properties and serving over 1,200 families with their real estate needs in Henderson County and throughout western North Carolina. The George Real Estate Group is located in Flat Rock, north Carolina, near Hendersonville in Henderson County. You can find them online at realestatebygregcom. The George Real Estate Group can be reached at 828-393-0134 or stop by their office at 2720 Greenville Highway, flat Rock, north Carolina. Tune in live each week on Monday mornings at 9.05 on WTZQ FM 95.3 and 1600 AM or stream online at WTZQcom.