There’s no use dwelling on the previous, or wanting too far into the long run. As an alternative, Union’s Brooklynn Haywood has mastered the idea of staying within the current.
“I’ve learned to be where your feet are,” Haywood mentioned. “You just handle what you have at the moment, like, stop looking forward, stop looking behind you. You can’t fix what’s in the past, you can’t handle what’s in the future, so be where your feet are.”
In the course of the grind of a protracted winter basketball season, the Union junior stayed on a good keel by means of the highs and lows, serving to the Titans accomplish nearly each objective they got down to obtain.
Union snapped a multi-year dropping streak towards rival Camas with back-to-back common season wins en path to capturing the 4A Larger St. Helens title. After two early exits within the 4A bi-district event in as a few years, the Titans took the subsequent step by reaching the Tacoma Dome for the 4A State Spherical of 12, a stage model new to each participant on the roster.
That included Haywood, The Columbian’s All-Area women basketball participant of the 12 months, who checked extra packing containers in an already adorned highschool profession.
Haywood’s state-best 31.4 factors per sport and 40 % taking pictures from 3-point vary got here as no shock from one of many top-ranked gamers within the nation. Higher but, by averaging seven rebounds, 5 assists, three steals per sport and taking part in robust protection, this season marked Haywood’s arrival as an all-around pressure on the court docket.
“I just feel like Brooklynn is viewed sometimes as a great scorer,” Union coach Gary Mills mentioned, “however she is definitely an excellent basketball participant. My objective for her this 12 months was to point out what an excellent basketball participant she is.
“For as long as she plays for me, she’s always going to be asked to be aggressive on offense and be a scorer. But she can rebound, she can pass, she gets a lot of steals and she’s a good leader. And, I want people to know that.”
With regards to playmaking, Mills lauds the star junior for her skill to sense when to take over and when to get teammates concerned.
An already delicate steadiness was made more difficult this season with a new-look group on the ground. Sisters Janessa and Jalise Chatman transferred from Ridgefield to Union, rounding out a typical beginning 5 additionally that includes Haywood, Myla Larry and Carli Christensen.
The Titans’ constructed their chemistry over the summer time, together with every week spent collectively at Oregon State’s group camp, and by the beginning of the season, the items match collectively seamlessly.
“It was really a process of learning how to play with each other,” Haywood mentioned. “But, once we got that down and we came into the season, we were the underdogs. … We knew we could do it. It was more of a mindset thing that we believed in ourselves. We didn’t need other people to believe in us. We got that.”
That was very true in Union’s battles towards Camas, the defending 4A state champion, winners of 9 straight within the collection after a Jan. 10 sport Camas received 71-69 regardless of a livid second-half rally from Haywood and the Titans.
Union snapped the skid with back-to-back wins over Camas on Jan. 30-31, the latter on the Papermakers’ house flooring vaulting the Titans towards a 4A GSHL title, which set the stage for his or her deepest postseason run since 2020.
After a loss to No. 4 seed Woodinville within the 4A State Opening Spherical, the No. 5 Titans rapidly moved on with one other follow the next day.
“Be where your feet are,” Haywood thought.
Haywood and her teammates’ first journey to the Tacoma Dome was short-lived, ending in a Spherical of 12 loss to Glacier Peak, however it didn’t diminish a profitable season.
“I’d say we were definitely closer this year. We were really like a family,” Haywood mentioned. “I did an interview after our very last game and I was a mess, crying, but I said that this was the one team that I really felt like we really loved each other and we were really close. We worked our butts off for everything we got. We earned everything.”
The Titans had the correct mindset, with Haywood as their chief, and now know what it takes to get there.
“I think it was important for her to show that she views herself as the leader of her team, and I think it was important for her to show that she could get a team to the dome,” Mills mentioned. “That was one thing that wasn’t on her résumé. There have been different issues she completed however she checked that field this 12 months.
“Next year the goals will be a little bit different. Now we’ll want to win a couple games there, get to Saturday and we’ve got to work toward that.”
Earlier than her last highschool season, Haywood will return for one more season with Cal Stars Basketball, an AAU group on the Nike EYBL circuit. After studying from previous teammates like Jazzy Davidson (USC) and Addie Deal (Iowa), she’s set to take the reins and play a central function.
“Every single thing they told me, I took in,” Haywood mentioned. “But this year, it’s my turn to be that leader and kind of show what I can do and lead my team to however far we can go.”
All-Area Women Basketball Crew
Participant of the 12 months — Brooklynn Haywood, Union
The Remainder of the First Crew
Sveva Bernasconi, Mountain View: Change scholar from Italy made an on the spot influence by incomes 3A GSHL Participant of the 12 months honors. Senior ahead averaged 16 factors on 50 % taking pictures, together with 9 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block per sport.
Kennedy Bockert, Woodland: Sophomore publish and 2A GSHL POY set single season program data with 562 factors and 368 rebounds, highlighted by a 36-point, 25-rebound effort towards Ridgefield. Reached 1,001 profession factors in Woodland’s run to 2A state event.
Keirra Thompson, Camas: Senior level guard set single season college document for factors (481) and assists (196) whereas main Papermakers to 4A state quarterfinals. Earned 4A GSHL first group honors. Signed to Boise State.
Sophie Buzzard, Camas: Together with Thompson, fellow returning senior starter from the group’s 2024 state title run averaged 14.5 factors per sport and was named 4A GSHL Defensive POY. Signed to Portland State.
Gracie Glavin, Columbia River: Rapids’ main scorer averaged 14.5 factors per sport and helped lead Rapids to 3rd straight 2A GSHL title, back-to-back 2A state quarterfinals.
All-Area Second Crew
Myla Larry, Union: Versatile sophomore emerged as key catalyst for Titans of their run to 4A GSHL title and 4A state event berth. Averaged 9.6 factors, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals per sport. Earned 4A GSHL first group honors.
Madison Lee, Seton Catholic: Junior level guard helped lead Cougars to District 4 championship and 1A state quarterfinals in Yakima — each program firsts. Trico League Co-MVP averaged 11 factors, 5 assists and 5 steals per sport.
Kimora Ross, Evergreen: Junior guard, a three-time All-Area group choice, averaged 13.5 factors per sport and earned 3A GSHL Defensive POY honors.
Adrian Wright, Evergreen: Senior Swiss Military knife paced Plainsmen with 18.3 factors per sport. Wright capped a three-year profession at Evergreen with this system’s third straight run to 3A bi-district playoffs.
Layla Senderson, Mountain View: Senior 3A GSHL first-team choice averaged 13 factors, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and a pair of steals per sport with Thunder group that reached state for first time since 2001. Dedicated to Seattle Pacific.
Bridget Quinn, King’s Means Christian: Do-it-all senior level guard averaged 9 factors, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and three steals per sport. Earned Trico League Co-MVP honors and led Knights to 1A state opening spherical. Signed to Bethel College to play volleyball.
