Athletes of the Week: Brian Zhao and Emmett Shell

Exonians pack the bleachers as players chase the ball up and down the court. Co-captain and senior Brian Zhao yells at his teammates with his hands in the air, encouraging them to put everything they have into the game. The other co-captain of boys’ varsity basketball, senior Emmett Shell, also reminds them to stay focused. Both captains value being leaders on and off the court, as well as offering support and advice when their teammates are in need.

"Both captains value being leaders on and off the court, as well as offering support and advice when their teammates are in need."

Three-year senior Zhao grew up in Washington D.C., where basketball plays a major role in his community. “I have had a ball in my hand ever since I could remember,” Zhao said. He has carried his passion for basketball with him throughout his whole life; when Zhao came to Exeter, he was excited to play for head coach Jay Tilton. “[Basketball has] always been a positive outlook for me, so when I came to Exeter I just wanted to be a part of such a good program,” Zhao said.

Shell, a four-year senior, also started basketball at a young age, citing basketball as an effective stress reliever. He also appreciated Exeter’s excellent status as a team.“The program here was one of the reasons why Exeter was so appealing to me,” Shell said. “When I got here, I got involved right away. And I really wanted to be a part of what the Exeter basketball program has been.”

Both Zhao and Shell have been playing varsity under Tilton for three years now, and he regards both of the co-captains as “unselfish and committed.” He also recalled how Zhao and Shell have matured since being underclassmen. “They didn’t say much their first year. Our older kids took them in and helped them gain that confidence to project their voice as they do now,” Tilton said.

Zhao explained that he developed his leadership skills and tenacity because of the people who he looked up to. “People like Coach T, people who I play with, people who allow me to use my voice are an essential part of that,” Zhao said. Shell agreed, saying, “I feel like it’s given me the confidence to roll over whatever life hits me with now. I feel like it’s been a huge part of the transition from a 15-year-old prep coming in who barely knows anything about the real world, and now, [I’m] about to go off to college.”

Playing at Exeter has allowed both to continue exploring their passion for basketball. Zhao explained his attraction to the sport, saying, “My favorite part of basketball is probably the atmosphere. I think there’s something really beautiful [about] just five people, one basketball learning how to share, learning how to play and communicate.” He also praised his team.“What I like most about our team is that we’re resilient,” Zhao explained. “We can always trust each other and can get through rough times together, and I think that’s really important.”

Zhao and Shell try to use what their previous captains have taught them when leading their current teammates. Shell recalled one of his most memorable games, the chamwwpionship game at Rhode Island College, when other Exonians had gone home for break. It was the team’s last game of the season and they lost by three points at the buzzer.

“It was an incredibly hard loss, but what was most memorable for me [was] how much those guys cared, how much they put into it, physically and emotionally,” Shell said. “Every single senior was in tears and that just showed how much it meant to them and how impactful the experience had been.”

Tilton commended their success this year in leading the team with compassion and empathy. “They are the epitome of what it means to be a true Exonian, and I think that’s what made them such exceptional captains because they do care about other people,” Tilton said. “They think outside of their own bubble, it’s not always about them.”

Tilton also praised them for their ability to reach out to teammates outside of practice and offer support and sympathy. “They’re very aware of what others are going through on a day to day basis and are sensitive to that,” Tilton said. “But they’re also very firm in what they believe they should be doing to uphold the standards of our program.”

These qualities foster a great amount of respect from their teammates and a sense of community among the team. “Hard working,” “strong communicators” and “selfless” are just some of the words used to describe the co-captains of the basketball team. Lower Kerick Walker said, “They serve as role models for me and my teammates just by showing up every day to practice and being really consistent leaders.” Lower Lucas Grandison agreed, saying, “We’ve had very good conversations and debates at meals, and most of my memories of each of them come from there.”

On the court, Zhao’s strongest skills are handling the ball, being a strong defender and finding ways to get his teammates involved. Meanwhile, Shell shows a strong understanding of the program’s offensive system and is known for being a great shooter.

Come watch their skills in play on the court at their next home game against Brooks School at 6:00 p.m. this Friday.