There are few things in life more entertaining than watching the reaction of athletes, parents and fans at the end of a hard-fought game.

I had the honor again Thursday night as No. 2-ranked Brandywine defeated Calvin Christian 55-42 for its fifth Class C District championship in the last six years.

Perhaps the best part was watching the Bobcats’ lone senior, Brooke Smith, sitting anxiously on the bench waiting to hear her name announced so that she could receive her championship medal and begin the celebration.

She cracked a smile as the two teammates’ names were announced.

Then she got off the bench and walked into the arms of her head coach Josh Hood for an extra special hug and an even bigger smile.

After receiving her medal from Brandywine Athletic Director Vance Stratton and then the championship trophy, Smith signaled to the student section to join her and her teammates in the middle of the court for a rowdy celebration that included many of the Bobcat players hitting the floor in the crush of the on-coming mob.

There were plenty of hugs, kisses and celebratory handshakes to go around. I am sure the celebration will go on for quite a while before the gym empties and the clean-up begins.

Not lost on the crowd was the fact that Smith was playing her final game in the Bobcat Den. She drew the largest response from the crowd.

I looked over at her proud mother Diane who was recording video of the whole thing with her cell phone.

Brooke and her mother have gone through some very trying times over the last four years, but none of that made a difference tonight.

Tonight was all about celebrating another championship and wrapping up a stellar career with one last home game and one last hurrah.

Now Brandywine fans will have to wait and hold their collective breath as Brooke finds out how serious the injury is that she suffered in the first half.

Not willing to go without a fight, she returned shortly after going down with an apparent knee injury in the first quarter.

She played a stellar game and did not show any signs that her knee was bothering her as she helped her teammates reclaim the regional title they did not get a chance to compete for last season.

On Tuesday night, Brandywine will travel north to Comstock Park and face undefeated and No. 1-ranked Laingsburg (24-0) with a trip to the Breslin Center on the campus of Michigan State University on Thursday if they win.

So get your affairs in order Brandywine fans, load up the cars and head to Comstock Park Tuesday night and support your team in a way I know you can.

 

Scott Novak is sports editor for Leader Publications. He can be reached at scott.novak@leaderpub.com