When you watch Brandywine senior girls basketball player Brooke Smith on the court she looks like your normal athlete.

That’s great news for the Bobcats considering the adversity that Smith has overcome in the past year.

Health issues put Smith on the sidelines as a junior. Smith suffered torn cartilage in her right knee during the beginning of her volleyball season. She came back to play for the volleyball team two months later at districts and suffered a more serious setback. Smith tore the ACL in her left leg.

“Just an unlucky year, I guess,” Smith said. “It was a long journey.”

Instead of playing basketball, Smith had to endure intense rehab on her left leg. She went to physical therapy four times a week.

Doubt crept into Smith’s mind if playing sports again were in her best interests.

“When I first tore my ACL it hit me hard,” Smith said. “I didn’t know if I was going to come back or if I wanted to. I’ve had friends in the past tear their ACL’s and not want to play sports after that.”

In the end, Smith refused to let the injury keep her away from sports. She healed faster than expected and got cleared to resume physical activities three months earlier than expected. Smith was able to play soccer last spring.

“A lot of girls would sit back and feel sorry for themselves and come along slow,” said Brandywine girls basketball coach Josh Hood. “She was in rehab everyday and when she wasn’t in rehab she was shooting with one leg. It shows her determination and wanting to come back and be strong.”

Through observing last year and by working hard on her game, Smith has returned this year as a better basketball player.

“It definitely gave me a different view of the game,” Smith said. “It made me realize that we all have to be leaders and work as a team and be one. It makes you cherish the time that you get to play.”

In Brandywine’s 53-46 win over Kalamazoo Loy Norrix on Dec. 2, Smith scored eight points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Three days later, Smith scored nine points, grabbed four rebounds and had two steals in the Bobcats 71-13 win over Bridgman.

“She’s worked tremendously hard at just the skill part,” Hood said. “She has a post game now. She used to be perimeter oriented. She realizes now that she’s a big weapon for us inside and out. She’s really improved her game from her sophomore year when she led us in scoring (10 PPG) and rebounding (6.7 RPG).”

Smith, who’s completely healthy and not wearing a knee brace on her left leg, is adjusting to the quick pace of varsity basketball.

“I think I’m doing pretty well,” she said. “It took awhile for my body to adjust to all the pivoting and the shuffling. But I love being back and playing with my family. It’s awesome.”

Only one other thing would satisfy Smith more and that would be a trip to the state finals. Smith helped Brandywine win regional titles as a freshman and sophomore.

“We’ve definitely set very high standards,” Smith said. “We’re good and we’re fast. We’re capable of making it to state this year and I believe that we will.”

A healthy Smith gives Brandywine a great chance.