Lambert High School

Boys Basketball: Bracco hired as Lambert head coach

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Under Sid Maxwell, the Lambert High School football program has become known for its toughness and defense. Longhorns boys basketball fans may be in for more of the same.

The Forsyth County School Board was expected Thursday night to approve Scott Bracco as the next varsity boys basketball coach at Lambert.

Bracco replaces Derrick Dewitt, who led the program through its first three seasons, compiling an overall record of 32-45. The Longhorns went 15-11 last season but were unable to make their first appearance in the state playoffs.

“We’re going to be known as the toughest team on the floor,” Bracco said. “We’re going to play tough, hard-nosed defense, which is something I have always believed in.”

Bracco has a long track record of success. He led the Dunwoody program from 2001 to 2009, where he averaged more than 20 wins per season.

During that nine-year stint, the Wildcats reached the state playoffs in eight seasons and advanced past the first round each time. Dunwoody also won two Class AAA state titles (2005 and 2006), advanced to the semifinals twice and reached the quarterfinals once.

Bracco has spent the last three seasons at South Gwinnett. The Comets did not advance to the state playoffs but posted an overall record of 46-32 while competing in Region 8-AAAAA.

Lambert athletic director Drew Ferrer said Bracco’s winning track record is what ultimately won him the job.

“We had an excellent field of candidates, and when we narrowed it down to the two finalists, Scott’s prior success really appealed to us,” Ferrer said. “In addition to that, hearing his vision and plan for the way he would run the program and develop the kids was appealing as well. He’s just a great fit for our type of kids and our parents. We’re really pleased to have him.”

Bracco said he coveted the Lambert job for several reasons, one of which is family-oriented. He has a wife and three young sons — ages 8, 5 and 3 — and the family lives in nearby Johns Creek.

“Certainly, anytime you consider a position, you take your family into consideration as well,” Bracco said. “I feel close to this community and I can’t wait to get started.”

Bracco said he will be a fixture at middle school and youth league games as well, as he attempts to grow the program at Lambert.

“That is where it starts,” Bracco said. “So people will see me at all the middle schools and the youth games, too.”

Bracco said he is eager to take on the challenge of molding a young program that will return several players, including guard/forward Logan Bush, a second-team all region selection, and forward Marcus Champion. He plans to meet with the team for the first time at some point next week.

“That was something that appealed to me as well, being able to build a program from the ground up,” he said.

“I’m not sure what kind of system we will run. I want to get to know our players first and then we will see how that goes.

“But defensively, we will be tough. We will always be the toughest team on the floor.”