Suburban Life Athlete of the Week: Sophia Brown, Glenbard West, basketball, senior

Glenbard West senior Sophia Brown

Name: Sophia Brown

School: Glenbard West, senior

Sport: Basketball

Why she was selected: Brown scored 22 points in Glenbard West’s win over Lemont at the Grow the Game Shootout after scoring a career-high 29 points against Glenbrook North the previous week. She was selected Athlete of the Week in an online vote. Here is her interview with Sports Editor Joshua Welge.

Welge: What was the key to your big game against Lemont?

Brown: My teammates and I were getting a lot of steals and rebounds and I would run on the fast break either dribbling into a fast-break layup or running the court for my teammates to pass it to me leading to a layup. I was also making 3-point shots and pull-up jumpers.

Welge: What does competing in the Grow the Game events mean to you?

Brown: I love participating in the Grow the Game shootouts and tournament because I think it is so important to highlight girls sports. Having all the refs being female and only female coaches is such a cool experience. I think it is amazing that my coach was a part of this and it shows how much she cares for the sport and supporting females.

Welge: How is the season going?

Brown: Our season is going great. We have had a lot of close games this year against teams we lost to by quite a bit last year. We have made so much improvement from the beginning of the season. Our team has a very good dynamic on and off the court, which is so important to success. Being friends with your teammates creates a family, which makes our team so much more powerful.

Welge: You also play soccer I believe. How do you balance the two and does soccer help your basketball?

Brown: It has never been an issue for me because the two never interfere with each other since soccer is in the spring. I think soccer has actually helped me a lot in basketball with athleticism. I am able to read where people are going to pass, leading to steals and deflections, and I think soccer has played a big part of that. It has also helped contribute to my speed and endurance, which is important while playing basketball as well.

Welge: What’s your plans after high school?

Brown: My plans after high school as of right now are to study biology or kinesiology in college.

Welge: What’s your favorite subject in school?

Brown: Either math or science.

Welge: Favorite sports team?

Brown: The Golden State Warriors.

Welge: Favorite TV show?

Brown: Gilmore Girls.

Welge: What’s the last book you read?

Brown: Before I Fall.

Joshua  Welge

Joshua Welge

I am the Sports Editor for Kendall County Newspapers, the Kane County Chronicle and Suburban Life Media, covering primarily sports in Kendall, Kane, DuPage and western Cook counties. I've been covering high school sports for 24 years. I also assist with our news coverage.