Brooks looks to break out in 2003

Junior center paces JMU offense with post play

Coach Kenny Brooks believes that, after losing several key players to graduation last year, a large part of this year's team's success will depend upon the play of junior center Krystal Brooks.

"Krystal Brooks is the most veteran post player we have," coach Brooks said. "She is the second returning leading scorer and she's going to be counted on heavily. Last year, we were a guard-oriented team, and this year, we're going to have to throw the ball inside and get her more opportunities."

At 6 feet 3 inches, Brooks is one of only two returning starters and will be expected to provide leadership by example, providing strong interior defense on a nightly basis, according to her coach. Brooks played in every game last year for the Dukes and provided a solid low-post presence snagging 4.3 rebounds a game, while leading the team in field goal percentage.

However, Brooks will be depended upon to play a much larger and more consistent role during this year's campaign. With over 40 points and 15 rebounds per game lost from last year's starting lineup, Brooks will be asked to help fill the scoring void that was left by the graduation of frontcourt starters Shanna Price ('03) and Nadine Morgan ('03).

While scoring has been one of the strengths Brooks has displayed during her career at JMU, the starting center usually is required to provide consistent rebounding night in and night out. Although it has been an admitted weakness, Brooks said she has made a serious effort to improve upon it in the off-season.

"I have been working on my rebounding from year-to-year and have been getting better," Brooks said. "We lost a lot of key rebounders last year, so I felt the need to improve [my rebounding]."

A center for as long as she could remember, Brooks has continued to improve facets of her game on a yearly basis and develop more and more into a complete player, she said. A self-admitted poor free-throw shooter when she arrived at JMU, Brooks boosted her percentage a full 25 percent last year from 44 percent her freshman year to her current 71.4 percent.

Another area in which she has shown improvement is on the defensive end. Coach Brooks is aware of how important it is to have an interior defensive presence, and is pleased with the strides Brooks has made.

"I think she has [improved defensively]," coach Brooks said. "I've watched her last year at this time to this year, and I think she understands the concepts we want to instill — she is getting better, and you can tell."

Brooks has continued to develop, coach Brooks said and, although she showed flashes of all-conference play throughout last year, consistency will be her biggest challenge throughout the upcoming season. With an importance placed on her performance, coach Brooks said it will take dependable performances from his starting center on a nightly basis in order for this team to make a run at the Colonial Athletic Association title.

"[Krystal]'s going to be counted on heavily for scoring and rebounding — she's going to have to step it up and be more aggressive on the offensive end and be more aggressive to rebound," coach Brooks said. "She's also going to be counted on to be a leader."

While productivity on the court from Brooks will be essential for team success, the leadership she provides in practice every day and throughout the season will be valued just as highly, coach Brooks said. She will be expected to guide the younger players through the vigors of conference play. Brooks would like her leadership to be reflected through her actions she's going to have to step it up and be more aggressive on the offensive end and be more aggressive to rebound," coach Brooks said. "She's also going to be counted on to be a leader."

While productivity on the court from Brooks will be essential for team success, the leadership she provides in practice every day and throughout the season will be valued just as highly, coach Brooks said. She will be expected to guide the younger players through the vigors of conference play. Brooks would like her leadership to be reflected through her actions on the court, not simply through words.

"I want to be a vocal leader, but also lead by example — be enthusiastic, work hard and have the younger players feed off of that," Brooks said. "I want to help prepare the freshmen for the games — especially conference games."

One player that already has benefited from Brooks' leadership during the early stages of the 2003-'04 season is freshman forward Lesley Dickinson.

"I like Krystal because she brings intensity, but gives constructive criticism on how you can improve your game.," Dickinson said. "She is great with underclassmen, and helps them adjust to college basketball."

Although Brooks cites last year's thrilling home win over perennial conference champion Old Dominion University as her favorite basketball moment during her first two years at JMU, she is far from satisfied. Her No. 1 goal for the upcoming year is to unseat the ODU Lady Monarchs, who have won the last 11 Colonial Athletic Association titles and head to the "big dance."

In order for JMU to make its first trip to the NCAA tournament in eight years, Brooks will have to improve upon the flashes of brilliance she showed at times throughout last year, her coach said.
"We may go where [Brooks] goes," coach Brooks said. "If she's having a good game, we might be good because it will open things up on the outside. If she isn't playing well, it could be a different story."