Schuylkill County’s basketball community gathered once again on Sunday for the 2nd Annual Schuylkill County High School Basketball Media Day, hosted at the Schuylkill Haven Area High School Performance Center.
The event brought together boys’ and girls’ teams from across the Schuylkill League for a preseason meet-up with the county's media agencies which includes Skook News, T102 Sports Now, Republican Herald, The Gilson Brothers Media, and D11 Sports.
Organized by former North Schuylkill Boys Basketball Head Coach William Bracey and Shenandoah Valley Boys Basketball Head Coach Josh Dombrosky, the event has quickly become a new Fall tradition—one that highlights student-athletes and strengthens the bond between schools, coaches, and local media.
This year expanded on the momentum built in its inaugural run, giving teams a platform to introduce key players, share season expectations, and celebrate the sport’s growing presence throughout Schuylkill County.
The evenings’s featured speaker, Penn State Schuylkill Men’s Basketball Head Coach Travis Williams, delivered an emotional and wide-ranging address that left a deep impression on the hundreds in attendance.
A Message Rooted in Community, Resilience, and Growth
Williams reflected on arriving at a young age to Schuylkill County during a difficult period in his life and finding strength through the local community and the game of basketball.
“Basketball—and the people here—helped take me to the next level,” he shared.
He praised the county’s strong sense of unity, noting that rival programs often support each other in ways rarely seen elsewhere.
“That is what makes me so proud to be part of Schuylkill County. It’s the unity here. It’s the family feel.”
Williams encouraged students to avoid specializing too early:
“Keep playing multiple sports. You never know what you’ll learn from another role or another team.”
He even noted a shift in his own recruiting strategy to prioritize multi-sport athletes for their versatility and athleticism.
Drawing from former coaches, Williams shared one lesson that shaped him:
“If you can’t make it at home, where can you make it?”
He reminded the players that in Schuylkill County, reputations travel fast—much like being a local celebrity.
“Everybody’s talking about you. So don’t burn bridges.”
Williams told athletes that education remains one the greatest advantages they can give themselves.
“If you use it the right way, it will pay dividends again and again.”
He told players they will face a world unlike anything their parents experienced, but their guidance still matters greatly.
“You will be more powerful than your parents ever imagined—as long as you listen to them.”
Williams spoke candidly, reminding students that character and integrity matter as much as skill:
“You do not have to hurt yourself or anyone else to get what you want from this world. I am living proof.”
Referencing the path to district and state playoffs, Williams spoke about mental toughness and long-term goals.
He shared personal memories from state runs—including the traditional “Hershey chocolate sendoff” and fire truck escorts through town:
“That’s the unity here. That’s the community you’re a part of.”
Williams closed with a message from mentor John Davis:
“Family stands for: Forget About Me, I Love You.”
He emphasized the importance of small moments—rides home, shared meals, pregame pasta dinners—saying those memories stay with athletes long after their final game.
“We’re not meant to go through this alone.”
A Growing Tradition for Schuylkill County Basketball
Now in its second year, the Schuylkill County Basketball Media Day is quickly becoming a much-anticipated kickoff to the winter sports season. For organizers Bracey and Dombrosky, the goal is to give every local program a platform while promoting unity and pride throughout the league.
Sunday’s event accomplished exactly that—bringing together players, coaches, families, and media in celebration of the sport and the communities that support it.
