Melissa Brooks
is making the shot

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

The Holy Family University women’s basketball team is having a picture-perfect season.
And guard Melissa Brooks is just the person to capture it on film.
The 5-foot-10 athlete, who is studying to become a professional photographer, has helped the Tigers go 12-0 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play this season. In fact, they’d outscored opponents by 223 points thus far, as the Times went to press this week.
Most recently, Holy Family defeated Post University of Waterbury, Conn., 79-41, on Jan. 8. The points scored were a season high for the Tigers, who were ranked 10th in the nation in the latest USA Today/ ESPN Coaches Poll.
"It’s really been great season so far," said Brooks. "To be honest, I didn’t think we were going to be undefeated twelve games into the season. We’re a much shorter team than last year. But coach (Mike McLaughlin) did some great recruiting and brought in some excellent players."
Some new faces at Holy Family include freshman forward Catherine Carr, who leads the Tigers in points this season, with 182. She is joined by newcomers Meghan Gibson and Lindsay Tennett, who have collectively compiled 110 points.
Brooks, a member of the varsity squad since her freshman year, is more than familiar with the role of a rookie.
"I came in freshman year really quiet and little," she said. "Now I’m a much smarter player. I’m more mental than physical right now. I think I’ve matured as a player, teammate and person. Now I’ve taken on the role as the leader."
She isn’t alone. Fellow veterans Kelly Killion and Lauren Boyer, both guards, and forward Christine McCollum also lead the way as team captains.
"I’m not a captain this year because I need to concentrate on my studies," said Brooks. "But I still put myself out there. I can still be an example for the younger players."
With aspirations of becoming a photojournalist and graphic-design artist, Brooks, a visual-communications major, has dedicated almost all of her free time to achieving those dreams.
And she doesn’t have to look far for inspiration.
"I really want to get into sports photography," said Brooks, who has been cheered on by her teammates for taking excellent action shots. "I really love art. I like drawing and painting, but my love is taking pictures. Every picture is a memory. I want to capture that."
Brooks has created plenty of photographic moments during her basketball tenure at Holy Family. During her debut season, Brooks helped make school history when the Tigers defeated Pace, 70-62, in the NCAA Northeast Regional first-round tournament. It was the first time Holy Family won a NCAA Division II women’s basketball playoff game.
"It was an unexplainable feeling," recalled Brooks. "It’s so great being on a winning team. All I can say is it was perfect. All the hard work paid off for that one moment."
The good feelings created by that glory have been enough to propel the team to a season of victory once again.
"I never say I don’t feel like practicing today," said Brooks. "It takes hard work, but it’s worth it. I always have a smile on my face and I always love every moment on the court. That’s why where we are right now makes me so happy."
Of course, having an undefeated record does pose its challenges. The Tigers know that opponents use it as extra incentive to knock off Holy Family.
"There are teams that are just hoping we stay undefeated so they can give us our first loss," said Brooks, who hasn’t lost one conference game throughout her career at Holy Family. "Even weaker teams play their best game against us. We have a target on our back. Everyone wants to beat us."
Their current winning streak did not come easily. The team, in particular, has played through sickness and injuries.
"I tore a meniscus in my knee, hyper-extended my elbow, and stretched a ligament in a foot this year," said Brooks, who has missed just three games — all this season — in her Holy Family career. "It’s frustrating to have to deal with all of these problems.
"But then I look at Kelly Killion, who had four knee surgeries, and she is still out there lighting up the courts," she continued. "I think injuries make you look at the game differently. But I’m still playing through all this. I think it makes you such a stronger person."
Despite their setbacks and injuries, the squad endures daily practices and training, even throughout the offseason. Their dedication to teamwork spans beyond the basketball court.
"We do everything together," said Brooks. "We go to the movies, bowling — we’re always together. That’s one of the major reasons I chose here, the closeness. And I think our chemistry off the court as a team definitely helps our game on the court."
Some girls took their team unity a step further by becoming college roommates. Brooks, for example, lives with senior guards Killion and Alandra Dickerson.
"They’re my two best friends on the team," said Brooks. "This is our second year living together and we get along great. I love them.
"I definitely made the right choice coming here, and not just for the game," she continued. "I love the excitement and the fun of it, and I know I’ll stay in basketball, in some form, for my whole life. But right now, the best part is my teammates and coaches." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com