High hopes
for the Pandas

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

First there were three, then there were two.
Now Carleigh Brown is down to one.
And the Nazareth Academy junior is making it count.
During her initial year with the Pandas, Brown excelled at softball, soccer and basketball on a varsity level. The following year, the former first baseman retired her glove but continued her success on the soccer field and basketball court.
Now, the third time around, Brown decided it was time to put away her cleats as well and focus her efforts on her true passion — basketball.
"It was really tough giving them all up for basketball," said Brown. "But I needed more time to train and there’s always that risk of injury, so I thought it would be best to just play one sport, and basketball has always been my favorite."
It looks like the 6-foot-1 forward made the right call. Brown, who averages 12 rebounds per game, already has sunk 199 points this season. After beating St. Basil’s in a nail-biting 37-35 win on Jan. 3, the Pandas went on to defeat Sacred Heart, 57-30, two days later. On Monday night Nazareth continued their winning streak with a 45-23 win over Merion Mercy Academy.
"The team is playing well together," said coach Greg Godfrey. "We have good fundamentals. It’s a great team effort."
Brown has made leaps on the courts since her debut with the Pandas. Coming in as a freshman, she was new to the high school scene, but it didn’t take long for the natural athlete to step it up. As a sophomore, Brown was named a first-team All-League player.
However, the Pandas struggled as a team, finishing with a 6-16 record.
"We came in seventh out of eight teams, so of course we’re looking to improve on that," said Godfrey. "But now they have the team chemistry down. You’re only as good as how well you play together."
The Panda clan is looking great together, having put together a 9-4 record so far this season.
"We definitely have a lot more intensity this year," said Brown. "The team is working really well together. We want to win this for the seniors."
Nazareth has five seniors this year, including co-captains Katie McGee and Kellie Brady.
"They do a great job leading this team," said Brown. "I can’t wait to step up next year and make them proud. And of course I’m hoping to get that captain spot."
It looks like she is well on her way.
"When she (Brown) does well, the team does well," said Godfrey. "She’s an extremely good passer. She has a high basketball IQ. She’s one of the best players in the league."
The 16-year-old’s success on the court didn’t come easy. In addition to practicing with her fellow Pandas, Brown has been involved with her local AAU team, the Philadelphia Belles, for the past four years.
"We also play in a fall league," said Brown, who participates alongside the entire Nazareth squad. "So I really play year-round. I practice a lot and I train a lot.
"It’s intense and fast," she continued. "I like the aggressiveness of it, but it was a lot with the other sports. I had to just concentrate on one."
Even though her skills are shining brightly on the court, Brown still misses her days playing softball and soccer.
"Softball was my second favorite," said Brown, who played tournament softball for the past six years. "I went to every soccer game this year, and I’m sure I’ll be at every softball game too.
"I’m actually a lot better at softball than I am at basketball," she continued. "But that’s one of the reasons I like basketball more — it’s more of a challenge for me."
Brown plans to continue concentrating on her basketball skills and hopefully take them to the collegiate level once her days at Nazareth are complete. And although she still has plenty of time, Brown has already started her search.
"I’m really looking to go to Lehigh or Rider right now," said Brown, who also is looking at Fordham, the University of Massachusetts and LaSalle. "I’m talking with a lot of different colleges, but I definitely like Lehigh and Rider a lot."
Brown wants to study either education or business. And once her days of playing the game have ended, she’d like to coach.
"She’s an outstanding player," said Godfrey. "She’s going to go to a nice school. She has to continue to work hard, but she’s going places." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com