DELHI — For Delaware Academy girls’ varsity basketball coach Todd Bruce, the milestone moment arrived in the opening round of the Section IV Class C playoffs. On Feb. 26, in a commanding 57-38 victory over Candor, Bruce secured his 300th career win — a testament to decades of dedication, leadership, and a steadfast commitment to team chemistry.
“I always want it to be about the kids,” Bruce said. “They are the focus of every season. That’s what matters most to me.”
A fixture in the local basketball community, Bruce has spent over two decades on the sidelines. He started coaching the boys varsity team in Charlotte Valley in Davenport, he explained. He began his Delaware Academy coaching career in 2002 before stepping away to focus on family. He returned in 2013 to lead the varsity girls, guiding them to a state championship in 2018. Through it all, his philosophy has remained unchanged: winning is important, but it’s not everything.
He demands the same from every player, he said - whether male or female.
Bruce emphasizes that team success starts with players fully committing to the program and building strong camaraderie. He believes team chemistry is essential and must come first. Consistency is key, supported by dedicated assistant coaches and players who care for each other. Ultimately, he wants his athletes to take pride in wearing the Delaware Academy uniform and give their maximum effort every game.
He coaches, he said, because he loves the camaraderie between the coaches and players and because he feels like he is making a difference in student athletes’ lives. That philosophy will be put to the test on March 5, when Delaware Academy faces Union Springs in the sectional semifinals at Tompkins Cortland Community College. Union Springs, a sixth seed with a 17-4 record, pulled off an upset over defending state champion Moravia in the quarterfinals. Bruce knows the challenge ahead is formidable.
“They have good size up front, strong leadership, and are well-coached,” he said. “Playing on a college court adds another layer. It’s a different atmosphere.”
A college court is slightly larger than a high school court.
But Delaware Academy has its own advantages — cohesion, depth, and a relentless defensive mindset. Bruce believes in his young squad’s ability to rise to the occasion.
“Defense wins games,” he said. “We’re lucky to be versatile on offense, but our real strength is that these girls believe in each other. That’s the main ingredient to success.”
As he looks back on 300 wins, Bruce defines success not by trophies, but by the relationships forged along the way.
“You know you’ve succeeded when former players reach out, when those bonds extend beyond basketball,” he said.
