Player Profile: Whitney Brown

What do you do when your sister wins two consecutive state championships, graduates as the school's all time leading scorer and goes on to an outstanding collegiate career?  You go out and win your own state championship, that's what you do! Whitney Brown of Northwest High School (Grand Island, NE) lead the Vikings to the schools third state championship in seven years, and the fourth in school history.  An outstanding point guard who exploded onto the state scene last March, Brown averaged 16 points, three assists and three steals a game to lead the Vikings to a 21-5 overall record.  I caught up with her a couple of days ago . . . <strong>What first drove you to basketball?  What inspired you to pursue the sport?</strong> I've been playing basketball ever since I was a little kid. My parents made the choice of putting me in it but I made the choice to stick with it because of the love I instantly felt for it. I could enjoy it but at the same time be competitive with it. I wanted to continue to play largely because of my siblings and parents, who hold me to a higher standard each and every day, pushing me to become the best I could be. <strong>Who is your club coach and program you play for?  How long have you played for them?</strong> I played for Cornhusker Shooting Stars under Dan Lesoing ever since I was a 6th grade.  Before that, I was playing under Ray Chavez for No Limit and my dad Mick Brown for Northwest Vikes Little League. <strong>Describe the 2018-19 season.  What was different about it?  How did your team grow during the season?</strong> Last season, our team just really came together for one common goal, which was to prove to everybody else and even ourselves that we were good enough to compete with every team in our district. We had lost one player from the year before, so we were basically the same team but with more grit and determination. We felt like we were the underdog from day one, which made us want to work harder and dig deeper. It was truly a special year with amazing people and it was awesome that each person stepped up and into their role on our team and helped us win that state title! <strong>What was winning the state tournament like?  Describe the journey during that weekend and what brought the team together.</strong> It was indescribable. Each day, it got better and better. We came in the tournament as the 6th seed, but right from the start we knew we had something to prove. Day two was absolutely amazing, that feeling of coming back from a seventeen point deficit and end up winning by eight was truly amazing; it literally gave me chills. Each game, at various points, we would get together and say "We have nothing too lose, we're the underdogs, and we didn't work this hard just to end here. So let's go out and show them who we are!" I think after winning the first game and having it be so tight the whole time, it that really brought us together and we believed right then and there that we could do it. Another thing that helped us tremendously was our student section and our parents; every day they came ready with energy. Another person that was really important to our success is our weight coach Troy McNeil. He is the reason why we were able to fight back in the Waverly game and play three very successful games that week! Coach McNeil also helped my sisters' group to three state titles as well (two in basketball, one in volleyball)! <strong>What do you feel you do well on the floor?  What are areas that you are working to improve on?</strong> I think I am a good ball handler and I see the floor well as a point guard. When I was younger, I was extra small, so I had to learn how to turn that strength into a weakness. I believe with seeing the floor well, I could get the offense set up and I could find little holes in the defense to weave my way through and create both for myself and my teammates.  On the flip side, I could read what the opposing team was going to do on offense in order to get some steals on defense. This year, I want to improve on my free throw percentage and consistency on my outside shots as well as incorporating some mid range into my game. <strong>How do you feel about this year's team?  What are some of your goals?</strong> I feel good about this year's team.  We have some girls coming up that could really help us and winning last year has given us one common goal, which is to get back to Lincoln and come home with a second title. I hope that with this goal in mind, each and every day we all come to practice ready to get better keeping our heads down and play the game with integrity and heart. <strong>What other sports/activities do you do?</strong> I play volleyball and run track. I am involved in National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Student Council (president), Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Principal Advisory Committee, Classroom intercom, and I go help at my old middle school as well. <strong>What schools are you looking at for college?  Are you planning on playing?  What would you like to major in?</strong> I plan on majoring in business or education. I also will be playing basketball in college as well. I have made a decision but haven't went public with it yet! <strong>Anything else you would like to add . . .</strong> A big thanks to all my coaches in the past and my parents and siblings for pushing me to become the best player I can be.