One of Rock Island senior guard Shavonne Brewer’s favorite quotes reads, “You can’t achieve until you fail.”
The 5-foot-5 leader of the Rocks has had her fill of postseason failures. Now she’s looking for the achievements.
The Rocks reached the regional finals in Brewer’s freshman season, only to fall to Geneseo 40-39. Her sophomore season ended after the first postseason game, a 45-42 loss to Sterling. Last year, the Rocks lost on their home floor in the regional semifinals as Dunlap hit a buzzer-beater in overtime to win 39-36.
“It teaches me to be a better person,” said Brewer, who led the Rocks to a share of the Western Big Six Conference title and a 21-8 record last season. “That will help me to achieve in the long run. It taught me to keep my head held high when things don’t go right. It taught me to fight back harder.”
Don’t confuse learning from the experience with accepting it, though.
“It obviously bothers me a lot,” said the point guard, who averaged a team-high 12.6 points per game last season. “Just the other day we were sitting there, and someone brought it up and tears came. I was angry, sad. It just makes me want to go out and work harder.”
This season, Rocky coach Thad Hoover is moving to a more up-tempo offense from the half-court game his squad employed last season, when the Rocks averaged 47 points per game. He called the offense more guard-friendly and expected Brewer, who was honorable mention all-state last year, to flourish this season.
“This year, we will play to our strengths, and I think it will be great for Shavonne,” said Hoover, who has a 64-48 mark with the Rocks. “We’re not as big. Our tallest player is a sophomore. Faster pace, the sets that we run will be guard-oriented. The way we want to play will feature guard play. Last year, we got into a lot of half-court, physical-style matchups, which I don’t think is her strongest suit.”
For the better part of last season and even extending to her sophomore year, Brewer, who was an all-Metro and all-league player last season, played on one leg, according to Hoover as knee problems slowed her. Now Brewer is healthy and feels faster than she has in a couple of years.
“As long as I have my ankle braces on, I feel like I’m back to my normal speed,” Brewer said. “Last year, after that knee thing happened I had to wear those braces, and I felt like I was going a lot slower. I asked my therapist and Hoover if it was OK to take my knee braces off. I just prewrap underneath it.”
Hoover and Brewer have a close relationship. Brewer, the Rocks’ lone returning starter, compared her coach to a second father, going to him with problems, both on and off the court. Hoover allows Brewer to give input, suggesting drills she’s used during her AAU camps to help the Rocks.
“She’s a lot like Chasson (Randle),” Hoover said of the boys basketball standout that led Rock Island to a state title. “Not to compare to her to Chasson, but she’s a leader by example. She’s not super vocal, but she does everything right. She goes about things the right way and that’s contagious all the way down and it has been since she’s been here. I think that more than anything is what she does really well.”
QC Times Preview: A Glimpse into Rocky's Basketball Journey
In the vibrant landscape of high school basketball, anticipation and excitement are palpable as teams gear up to take the court. The Quad-City Times' preview of Rocky's basketball journey serves as a window into the upcoming season, offering insights into the team's strengths, key players, and strategies. In this article, we delve into the significance of the QC Times' Rocky preview, exploring its role in building anticipation, fostering community engagement, and providing a comprehensive understanding of what the season holds. Additionally, we address frequently asked questions to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact that this preview has on players, fans, and the basketball community.
The Essence of a QC Times Preview
1. Building Anticipation
The QC Times' preview of Rocky's basketball journey creates a sense of anticipation among players, fans, and supporters. As the season approaches, this preview offers a glimpse of what's to come, igniting excitement for the upcoming games and matchups.
2. Showcasing Team Strengths
Through in-depth analysis, the preview highlights Rocky's strengths as a team. It sheds light on the skills, strategies, and attributes that set the team apart, providing readers with insights into what to expect on the court.
3. Engaging the Community
The preview fosters a sense of community engagement by giving fans a platform to discuss, speculate, and share their thoughts. It serves as a catalyst for conversations about players, game strategies, and the team's prospects for the season.
Exploring the Contents of the Rocky Preview
1. Player Spotlights
The preview offers profiles of key players, providing readers with an understanding of their roles, skills, and impact on the team's performance. This insight humanizes the players and deepens the connection between fans and the team.
2. Analysis of Team Dynamics
Through analysis, the preview delves into how Rocky's team dynamics are expected to shape their performance. It explores how players collaborate, adapt to opponents, and execute strategies on the court.
3. Season Outlook
The preview provides an outlook for the upcoming season, offering predictions, expectations, and potential challenges that Rocky might face. This insight gives fans a context for the team's journey ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions: Understanding QC Times' Rocky Preview
Q1: What is QC Times' Rocky Preview?
The QC Times' Rocky Preview is an analysis and overview of Rocky's upcoming basketball season. It highlights team strengths, key players, strategies, and offers insights into the season's prospects.
Q2: How does the preview build anticipation?
The preview generates excitement for the upcoming season by offering a glimpse of what Rocky has in store. It sets the stage for the games and matchups that fans can look forward to.
Q3: How does the preview engage the community?
The preview serves as a conversation starter, encouraging fans to discuss and share their thoughts about Rocky's basketball journey. It fosters a sense of community among supporters.
Q4: What can readers expect from player spotlights?
Player spotlights provide detailed profiles of key players, offering insights into their skills, roles, and impact on the team. They humanize the players and create a connection with the fans.
Q5: How does the preview contribute to understanding team dynamics?
The preview delves into how players collaborate, adapt, and execute strategies. It provides a deeper understanding of how Rocky functions as a team on the court.
Elevating the Basketball Experience: QC Times' Rocky Preview
The QC Times' Rocky preview elevates the basketball experience for players and fans alike. By offering insights into team strengths, player profiles, and strategies, it deepens the connection between supporters and the team. As anticipation builds, fans engage in discussions, share their enthusiasm, and immerse themselves in the upcoming season's narrative. Through this preview, Rocky's journey becomes more than just a series of games—it becomes a story of camaraderie, determination, and the spirit of competition that unites players, fans, and the entire basketball community.
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