Brooke Younger doesn’t know if she was in denial.
It’s not that the New Hope High School senior had lost her love for soccer. Far from it. It’s just that Younger wasn’t sure if she was good enough or if any college coaches would be interested in giving her a shot to play soccer at the next level. Instead of fretting about it, Younger thought her next step was going to take her to East Mississippi Community College in Scooba, where she would concentrate on her studies.
Younger’s thinking changed one game into her senior season.
Although she didn’t know prior to the game, Younger discovered Itawamba Community College women’s soccer coach David Strother was going to be at the season opener against Neshoba Central on Nov. 20 to watch one of her teammates. After the game, New Hope High coach Mary Nagy introduced Younger to Strother. To Younger’s surprise, Strother invited her to visit the school’s main campus in Fulton to see if she would be interested in joining his program.
It didn’t take long for Younger to realize she was going to get the chance she didn’t envision she would get.
On Thursday, Younger celebrated her opportunity by holding a signing ceremony to announce her decision to play soccer at ICC.
“It was quick,” Younger said. “It kind of blew my mind that it happened that quick, but I didn’t think twice about it, though.
“Growing up, I didn’t think I was going to play college soccer. I was doing it to be with my friends and to have fun. I loved it, but I didn’t think I would b able to take the next step.”
Nagy, who has watched three other players — Sydney Brocksmith (Jones County Junior College), Miaya Richardson (ICC), and Madison Thrasher (Northwest Mississippi C.C.) — sign scholarships this season, couldn’t have been prouder of a player she said has been invaluable as a “mother hen” who has helped lead and guide the younger players.
“No matter what I said or what coach Will (Taylor) said to try to convince her she was good enough to play, she still said, ‘No, I am not going to play,’ ” Nagy said. “I think she was in denial that I can’t hang. We are our own worst critics. We are toughest on ourselves, and I think that is what she was.”
Nagy said Strother had his eyes on Richardson, but she said he quickly realized Younger was another versatile player who he could fit in as a forward or as a defender. Nagy wasn’t surprised because she has watched Younger play a variety of roles for the Lady Trojans over the last few years. Regardless of where she has played, Nagy said Younger has worked hard for the team.
“I think once it was confirmed I can do this, it just kind of went from there,” Nagy said. “I am tickled for her because she needs to keep playing.”
Younger is excited about the challenge to play at ICC. She said the chance to play with Richardson and former New Hope High standout Farris Bradley, who is now a senior at South Pontotoc High, will make the transition easier. Bradley played at New Hope High as a sophomore 2013-14. She is scheduled to sign with ICC this afternoon.
“I have always worked really hard, but, like I said, I never thought I would go to play in college,” Younger said. “I would work my butt off for New Hope soccer. I wasn’t thinking I need to work, work, work, work so I can have a chance to play college soccer. I was working for coach Nagy and coach Will. That was as far as I was thinking about it.
“I need to have the same mind-set and work for (the players at ICC) and be ready for them and be the best I can be for them so we can have a good season.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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