Edward Kensik, Correspondent – Record Sports
SADDLE BROOK — It was probably predestined for Brianna Brooks to take her next stage in life just a little northwest at William Paterson University.
Brooks, an All-NJIC Meadowlands Division first-team girls basketball player for all her four years at Saddle Brook, will be hitting the hard court at the Wayne school this coming winter.
She will be following in the footsteps of her brother Erik, a 6-foot-8 forward, who played basketball for the Pioneers and graduated in 2014.
Brianna chose William Paterson over Ramapo, Montclair and Rowan.
“I chose William Paterson because I was most familiar with it since my brother is part of the basketball alumni,” said Brooks.
But it was probably preordained that she would go to William Paterson.
“I grew up watching him play basketball so I’ve always knew I wanted to play at Willy P,” said Brianna who was listed at 5-11 this past winter. “A college close to me was a big factor.”
For Brooks the thoughts of playing in college finally dawned on her after one of the toughest losses in her career, a heartbreaking 34-33 defeat at Cedar Grove. It was even tougher as the Lady Falcons fell one win short of making the North 1, Group 1 state sectional title game.
“High school being over sunk in after the basketball season ended because it is the last big thing I did in high school,” added Brooks, who helped lead Saddle Brook to an 81-25 record in her four years.
Brooks was a double-double machine who could be counted on for points and rebounds every game. Brooks had 22 double-doubles last season. The senior finished with 1,506 points and 1,332 rebounds for her career. Last season she was instrumental in several categories with 404 points, 164 steals, 132 assists and 398 rebounds.
“Brianna was one of the most unselfish players I have coached,” said Saddle Brook coach Darren White. “All she wanted to do is win. She did not care about points as long as we won. Her skill set and athleticism will translate very well to the collegiate level. I expect her to step up and contribute to WPU right away as a freshman. She loves to play defense and is a complete player.”
And for her new coach, William Paterson’s Erin Monahan, WPU really recruited her to bring her into the fold for the Pioneers.
“We are thrilled to have Brianna,” said Monahan, who also liked Brooks’ intangibles. “We spent a lot of time recruiting her because we feel she will help us at William Paterson. She is a taller guard who has ball-handling skills as well as defensive and rebounding skills. She has an excellent attitude and is a great teammate.”
With her days of William Paterson ahead of her, Brooks reflects on her favorite moments at Saddle Brook. She said that it all started when the Lady Falcons made the semifinals of the North 1, Group 1 state tournament in her freshman season back in 2014 and then recalls when her teammates, Taylor Harmon and Cherie Smedile, collected their 1,000th points. Brooks reached 1,000 points her junior year in February 2016.
And one of the best moments definitely came in her senior year, when the Lady Falcons upset Verona, 37-28, on the road in the state tournament quarterfinals to send Saddle Brook into the game against Cedar Grove. Brooks led the Lady Falcons with 14 points in that game.
And now the Saddle Brook star will hope to make more memories at William Paterson.
