Mustangs' Brophy signs with Panthers
May 2—Tuesday morning's signing ceremony was exciting but also a bit overwhelming for Midland Valley's Alissa Brophy.
Her teammates, coaches, friends and family members were gathered to celebrate a decision that was never one she planned to make.
Brophy hadn't intended to head off to play college basketball, but after some prodding she realized she didn't want to let the opportunity pass her by. So the workforce can wait, as Brophy has signed to continue her academic and athletic career at Denmark Technical College.
"Well, I wasn't planning on going to college at all. I was just going to work in the plant with my dad," Brophy explained. "But my middle school coach (and current Silver Bluff girls' coach Chasen Redd), he actually reached out to other colleges. Even though I was saying I didn't want to go, he was still reaching out anyway. So then I was just, like, I'll just go. I don't want to pass up the opportunity. I don't want to have to regret it. So I just went, and I thought about it, and I was like, 'Well, I can do this.'"
The fit at Denmark Tech made sense to Brophy — it's a two-year school that offers her chosen field of study (electromechanical engineering technology) and a chance to keep playing. If she doesn't like it, she can always change her mind. And if she does like it, she can keep going.
"I'm glad she made the decision to take it to the next level," said Midland Valley head coach Bianca Woodard. "Because I'm like, 'You sure you don't want to play?' She's like, 'No.' And I'm like, 'Are you positive you don't want to play?' She came up to me and said, 'I think I'm going to play.' And I just said, 'Oh my God" and I gave her a big hug. I'm excited for her. This is going to be really, really wonderful."
Brophy missed some games early in the season due to injury, but by the end of Region 4-AAAA play she was back in the lineup and averaging 7.6 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Woodard praised Brophy's ability as a 3-point shooter and her driving floater.
"This is only my first year coaching her directly," Woodard said. "She's been on varsity since she was in the ninth grade, so she's always been a pretty good player. I think moving her off of point guard and making her primarily a shooting guard was probably the best for her, which happened last year. This year, she's been excellent at the 2.
"... I wish I could have her one more year. But, of course, you know they've got to grow up and go on. If I had her one more year, just one more year. She's a good kid. Showed up for all of the workouts. She was always on time. I was always able to count on her. She's feisty. Love it."
Brophy said she's most excited for the opportunity to continue playing at the next level. Her years playing at Midland Valley included three different coaches in four years, but despite that she enjoyed her teammates within the program.
"Probably my teammates, being able to build the bonds that I have and everything," she said "... The coaching was a lot different the whole time, but my teammates were consistent. We just have good bonds."
