Words such as strong defender, consistent and leader now describe Shandra Brooks.
By JAMAL THALJI
Published February 19, 2004
WESLEY CHAPEL - Center Shandra Brooks is a work in progress.
But what a work it is.
Brooks, Wesley Chapel's top post player, has helped the Wildcats to a school-record 11 wins and the program's first playoff appearance tonight at Groveland South Lake.
In her second varsity season, the 5-foot-10 sophomore still is learning and growing.
Without her defense and rebounding, without her consistency, the best season in school history might not have been.
"She still has a lot of work to do," coach Mark Kopp said, "but she's worked hard for us all year. We always know what we're going to get from her, six to eight points and rebounds a game."
She is second on the team in scoring, averaging 6.8, and is the leading rebounder, averaging 8.6. Her scoring and rebounding are slightly down this season (from 9.3 and 9.1, respectively) because the team is better this season and her coach has asked more of her on defense.
When Kopp first saw Brooks as a freshman, all he wanted was to feed her the ball in the low post.
"When I came here last year and I saw what I had in her," Kopp said, "everything we tried to do offensively was based on her."
Brooks was one of two freshman to earn All-Sunshine Athletic Conference honors last season.
But the offense and her role in it changed this season with the addition of freshman guard Sthefany Thomas, a potent scorer. That freed Brooks to be more physical, a task she has accepted without reservation.
"I feel like the team depends on me more on defense than on offense," Brooks said. "Wherever I fit in for the team is fine with me. I've never really been concerned about scoring.
"I'm really concerned about getting the big "W."'
Kopp said taking the burden of scoring all of the Wildcats' points off Brooks has allowed her all-around game to flourish.
"She has really progressed as the season has gone on," he said. "Her assists are up. She's not just catching, turning and shooting. She's getting smarter on the floor."
Brooks said her attitude has grown as well. She is more patient with herself, and her teammates. Last season she would lose focus when the team struggled, but now she doesn't.
"I've matured a lot," Brooks said. "I've learned to control myself. I don't get as frustrated with myself like I did last year. I don't take things out on the team like I did last year."
Changes like that earned Brooks a rare honor for a sophomore: two weeks ago she and sophomore Sami Polston were named co-captains.
"It's really focused her in terms of leadership," Kopp said. "She's really stepped up. She's telling people "You need to do this and you need to do that,' which is what I wanted to see.
"Her maturity is improving every time she's on the floor."
One of the things Brooks has learned is she has a knack for that leadership thing.
"I like it, I like taking charge. I'm proud of it," she said. "It makes me feel more confidence in myself that he thinks I can be a captain."
