OREGON CITY, Ore.(KOIN) — Teron Bradford is the only returning starter on the Oregon City Pioneers basketball team, which means, inherently, he’s responsible for being the team’s leader.
His brother, Trevon — who’s now a wide receiver at Oregon State — held the same position when he was at Oregon City. And though the 2 share the same last name, they’ve shown to be 2 different type of leaders.
“My brother’s a really rah rah type kind of guy he’d be in your face, railing and screaming at you type of guy,” Teron said.
“I’m not known to like use my voice. I try to like lead by example.”
It’s a style that has had a positive effect on a young Pioneers team.
“Teron is the consummate humble warrior,” said Oregon City head coach Aaron Newkirk. “He’s a player who is always the same, whether he’s having a good game or not having his best game – he’s always great with his teammates.”
But Teron, the team’s starting point guard, has brought more to the court then simply leading. He’s talented, too, something he showcased on the football field this fall, as well. It’s a talent that will give him a chance to play Division I sports next year.
“He’s the kind of kid who has that idea of continual growth,” Newkirk said. “He’s constantly trying to get better. I’ve watched that over a period of four years, and that’s why his future as a collegiate athlete has to have somebody salivating – whether it’s football or basketball, because he’s always trying to get better.”
That consistent growth has been a model for the rest of his younger teammates.
“Everybody else is very new — it’s like first time varsity experience,” Teron said. “And so that’s pretty much the only thing we need to work on because everyone’s so young but other than that everyone’s like always wanting to go hard, just always competing and you gotta love that.
“The potential that the younger guys have on our team is just ridiculous. We’re definitely the most talented group of people we have here.”
