Jordan has made the most out of its inaugural season.

Many schools struggle in their opening seasons, but Jordan has turned expectations on its head, finding success and making a push towards the top of District 19-5A.

Jordan has suffered only four district losses all season and the team has gained confidence and belief in itself as the season has gone along.

“We’ve just gained more confidence is the biggest thing,” said junior forward Trevor Martz. “Our defense has been more of a team defense and we’ve just started to gel as a team. It’s been fun.”

The team had its biggest moment so far on Saturday, when they beat Brenham 73-40 to clinch a playoff berth for the first time in school history.

“It’s a cool feeling,” said junior guard Shawn Mitchell. “It’s the first time in Jordan history we’ve been able to make the playoffs, so it’s good that we could get there so we can compete in the playoffs for the first time.”

The Warriors lost for the second time this season to A&M Consolidated on Tuesday, dropping to third in district, but bounced right back with their win over Brenham to clinch a playoff spot.

The team continues has responded to every challenge thrown its way this season, with Saturday’s game just being the latest occurrence.

“I tell them all the time, ‘what you guys are doing is not normal, it’s hard,’” said Jordan head coach Charlie Jones. “Schools that just open up, they don’t make the playoffs, they haven’t won 19 or 20 games, so I want them to not put too much pressure on themselves and keep doing what they’re doing.”

Jordan jumped out to a `6-7 lead in the first quarter and stretched that to 32-13 heading into the half. Showing off an improved defense that had strength and toughness.

“Our defense has gotten so much better,” Mitchell said. “At the beginning of the year, it was alright, but we’ve practiced really hard over and over. It’s gotten to where it’s so much better. To hold a team to 13 in a half is really good.”

Mitchell finished the game with 19 points and six rebounds, while Martz had 18 points and five rebounds. Junior guard Jacob Ryan had 11 points and had multiple steals.

“I came in here and I’m the new guy,” Ryan said. “I had to make sure that I can show them that I can play defense. Defense is huge, so I just try to be as active as I can and yell and do everything I can possibly do. I just wanted to show them that I can play defense as well as offense.”

Jordan runs a motion offense and when it works correctly and there is ball movement and cutting it can be hard to stop. The team has had to work hard to get to where they can use it so successfully.

“In practice, we do it all the time,” Jones said. “Everyone gets to shoot as well. They don’t ever feel like ‘I have to take a shot,’ because everyone has the freedom to be able to shoot. All of them out there have the belief that, if I’m open I’m going to be able to take the shot, and that’s a good freedom to have.”

While others may not have predicted the Warriors success, no one within the program is surprised by what they’ve done this season.

“We weren’t surprised by any of it,” Martz said. “We know we’re a good team, we know that we can be a great team and compete with anyone. We’re confident with where we’re at.”

District 19-5A

Jordan 73, Brenham 40

Points: (J) Shawn Mitchell 19, Trevor Martz 18, Jacob Ryan 11, Trae Gage 9, Quinn Ford 5, Grant Black 5, Ethan Black 3, Kaleb Houze 3; (B) Shaun Ray 14, Ashton Behrens 6, Josiah Ferguson 6, Deontae Franklin 4, Justin Garza 2, Jamey Rogers 2, Waymond Watkins 2, Delvin Gantt 2, Kaden Watts 2

Halftime: Jordan 32-13; 3-pointers: (J)  Gage 3, Ryan 3, Martz 2, Mitchell, E. Black, G. Black, Houze; (B) Ray 2; Records: Jordan 19-10, 10-4; Brenham 11-21, 3-10;