Brianna Jones (Louisville), Boogie Brozoski (Michigan) officially commit
This Newsday composite shows Long Island Lutheran senior Lauren "Boogie" Brozoski, left, and North Babylon senior Brianna Jones, right, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014 after signing their letters of intent to play basketball in college. Credit: James Escher
Brianna Jones and Lauren "Boogie" Brozoski formed a friendship years ago while competing against each other in basketball tournaments. They eventually became close during junior national team tryouts. The two even tossed about the idea of attending the same college and, for once, joining forces.
Both were highly coveted recruits being pursued by several of the same universities. Brozoski, a Long Island Lutheran point guard, "fell in love with" the University of Michigan and made her commitment last year. Jones considered following suit, but . . .
"Then I visited Louisville," the North Babylon shooting guard said. "I had to call her up like, 'Listen, Boogs. I don't think our plan is gonna work.' "
Their fantasy scenario fell through, but the dream came true for Brozoski and Jones. Each signed a national letter of intent Wednesday, headlining a slew of Long Island athletes who made their college commitments official.
"It's one of the most exciting and fulfilling things, knowing that it's real now and you're going to that school," Brozoski said. "It's also a relief."
Brozoski was named Newsday's Long Island Player of the Year for a second time last season after averaging 19.5 points and 6.1 assists in leading Lutheran to the state Federation Class AA championship. With her quickness, guile, slick handle and tenacious style, she had long been on the recruitment radar.
The Queens native said she chose Michigan, in part, because she has known coach Kim Barnes Arico, a former St. John's coach, since middle school. "Plus it's a great school academically," Brozoski said. "It's the best of both worlds."
Jones enjoyed a breakout season last season, complementing her established perimeter skills with an improved all-around game. That, combined with a growth spurt, helped the 5-10 sharpshooter become the 16th-ranked prospect in this class.
She averaged 17.1 points and 10.3 rebounds and made 68 three-pointers. Louisville coach Jeff Walz attended playoff games, watching Jones lead North Babylon to the Suffolk Class AA final. Louisville is a perennial title contender that two seasons ago reached the NCAA final.
"You're doing what you love and getting an education for free," Jones said. "We're fortunate, because not many people can say that."
Some other local standouts can, too, though. Long Island has earned the reputation nationally as a hotbed for lacrosse talent, but several basketball players also became Division I signees. Among them:
St. Mary's stars Mei-Lyn Bautista (George Washington) and Jordan Agustus (St. John's); Alex Parlato of Wantagh and Brentwood's Alexia Douglas are headed to Fordham; Huntington forward Heather Forster (Albany); North Shore guard Alexandra Cantwell (Lafayette); Floral Park center Lorraine Hickman (St. Francis); Glen Cove's Taylah Hudson (Texas Southern); Garden City guard Samantha Auricchio (Cornell).
Three of Brozoski's teammates signed alongside her: Nani Redford (Harvard), Taylor Byrne (Seton Hall) and Erin Storck (Sacred Heart).
"Whenever I go on the AAU circuit and play in other states, the reaction is like, 'Long Island?' " Jones said. "I want people to realize that we've got some good players here. It's great to see people in this class being noticed outside of New York. I'm extremely proud of Long Island right now."
