(PHOTO BY RICH HARDING, STAFF)
By: Nate Calvin
The 1,000-point club continues to grow for the Delta Lady Panthers girls basketball program. After having just one to prior to 2011, the program has had six players reach the milestone since then.
Brooklyn Green became number six since 2011 on February 18th as she hit the 1,000-point mark in Delta’s 60-14 win over Northwood in the Division III sectional semifinals.
Green joins a list that includes Kim Busham (1981; 1,011pts), Kathleen Prezeslawski (2011; 1,093), Brigan Wymer (2015; 1,814), Morgan Mattimore (2016; 1,256), Maddie Mattimore (2018; 1,178), and Abby Freeman (2019; 1173).
Brooklyn is the daughter of Rich and Kim Green and youngest of sister of Blake (27), Brailee (24), and Bowen (21).
“My family has given me a safe environment to develop into who I am. While doing so they pushed me to become the best version of myself. No matter what I do they encourage, they believe, and they help me to get better”, said Brooklyn when asked about the role her family has played in her career.
“It’s a major accomplishment that I am proud to be part of. It proves that the countless hours I spent playing ball meant something, that all the blood, sweat, and tears were worth it.”
“To be the seventh 1,000-point scorer is girls history is an amazing feeling and I can’t thank my teammates, coaches, family, and community enough”, said Green, who started AAU basketball in the fifth grade but I has been around the game since a very young age thanks to her three older siblings all playing.
Green earned District 7 and NWOAL Honorable Mention her freshman and sophomore years, and was District 7 First Team, NWOAL Player of the Year and Special Mention All-State last season as a junior.
Just this week Green was awarded the NWOAL Player of the Year award for the second consecutive season and was named to the NWOAL First Team.
Delta head coach Ryan Ripke, who is in his 11th season, had high praise for his senior.
“The thing people may not realize is she could have scored her 1,000th point a lot sooner if she didn’t work so hard to get her teammates involved. She’s a triple threat. She can knock down the three, penetrate or post up. She’s also a very good passer and has really good court vision.”
“She has steadily improved every aspect of her game. She came in as a freshman being a very good outside shooter, ball handler, and defender. She was also a very steady player for us.”
“We knew we could count on her in tight games and she would take care of the basketball for us and take good shots. Now as a senior, to have someone steady like that is reassuring as a coach.”
“Her teammates really look to her to be that calming influence on the floor”, Ripke concluded.
That calming influence has helped Delta on the tournament trail this year, as they prepare to face Ottawa-Glandorf in the Division III Regional Semifinals on Wednesday night.
Brooklyn also excels in the classroom where she has earned a 4.0 GPA all four years and maintains perfect attendance while being class secretary, Student Council representative, Spanish Club representative, VP of Kindness Club, member of National Honor Society, and Yearbook Club.
Watching teammates reach this milestone in previous years is something Brooklyn lists as one of her fondest memories as her high school career comes to a close.
“I have great memories of watching Maddie Mattimore and Abby Freeman reach 1,000 points. Watching our team come together and celebrate such an accomplishment and looking back at the pictures of everyone jumping around and smiling is such a good memory.”
“Then to look at the pictures of my teammates getting excited for me reaching 1,000 is bittersweet”, she said.
What would Brooklyn tell high school players just starting down their four-year journey?
“Just do you. Go out every game and play your game. Listen to your coaches, for as much as they may annoy you, they know what they’re talking about and only want the best from you.” Overall, you just need to go out and get what you want but stay humble. You can’t get anywhere without the help and support of your team friends, family, and your community,”, Green elaborated.
Above all, Green wants all players to understand it’s not all about scoring. “Scoring 1,000 points is a great accomplishment but everyone plays an important role in the game.” “The rebounders, the assists, the defenders are all vital to making a successful team. Stay humble in all of your endeavors, don’t diminish your accomplishments, just take them in stride and continue pursuing more”, she added.
Following graduation, Brooklyn will be attending Owens Community College to continue her academic and athletic career. She plans to transfer to UT after two years at Owens and double major in Human Resource Management and Marketing.
Nate can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com