DLN WINTER ALL-AREA: Brennan kept Downingtown East on right track in topsy-turvy season

UWCHLAN >> If you’re trying to identify a standout basketball player from a season played during a global pandemic, Caroline Brennan would be an obvious choice.

The Downingtown East senior guard possesses all of the timeless skills needed to succeed regardless the circumstances. Consistency, relentlessness and dedication are hallmarks of a winner, even if the competitors are wearing masks on the court, and socially distancing off of it.

“When every team in the area seemed to have highs and lows throughout the season, Brennan kept us above all of that,” said her coach, Tom Schurtz.

The Daily Local News All-Area Player of the Year for 2020-21, Brennan led the way as the Cougars reigned atop the Ches-Mont for the third consecutive season. A starter since she was a freshman, East compiled an almost fictional-like 43-5 record over four years against C-M National foes.

“It is really amazing,” Brennan said. “There is a lot of pride in that.”

For ’21, Brennan and her fellow seniors wanted to keep the championship streak going even though star center Bella Smuda graduated last spring and is playing for Division I Liberty University.

“Don’t get me wrong, Bella is an unbelievable player,” she said. “But we wanted to show everyone that we could do it without her as well.

“It’s a tough league and to win three straight titles is amazing. This year was really weird because of COVID, but we had that grit. We just got after it.”

The Cougars went 13-2 this winter and Brennan blossomed into more than just a lockdown defender. She improved her scoring average by seven points per game from the season before (to 15.07), was one of the area’s top free throw shooters (82 percent) and chipped in 35 steals for good measure.

“I didn’t really see if coming,” Brennan said when asked about her scoring bump. “That started a bit at the end of my junior year.

“I was more of a defensive-minded player as a freshman and sophomore. I was terrified to put the ball on the floor and to shoot. Now I think I have a more complete game.”

A terrific athlete who’s earned a full athletic scholarship to play college lacrosse (more on that later), Brennan earned the respect of her peers as well as opposing coaches.

“Great player, leader and a great athlete,” was how West Chester Rustin coach Lauren Stackhouse described Brennan.

“Caroline improved a lot in the offseason, had an explosive first step and played full speed, always in attack mode,” added Coatesville coach Scott Barker.

A Downingtown native, Brennan readily admits that lacrosse was always her favorite. In fact, her parents – Stacy and Frank – had to practically order her to give hoops a try when she was in first grade.

“And here I am 12 years later still playing,” she chuckled.

“I was just thinking about that. I never thought I’d actually love basketball, but her I am and I am really going to miss it.”

As a youngster Caroline first developed her competitive zeal while trying to keep up with older siblings Kaitlin (now 26) and Drew (22).

“It’s always come natural,” she said. “I’m the youngest and I was always trying to keep up with them. Even if it was really hard, I kept trying.”

Brennan’s developed into a fierce two-sport high school standout, a team leader and a legend in East basketball circles for her intense work ethic, especially during the offseason and in workouts.

“She was able to squeeze so much out of every session we worked together,” Schurtz pointed out. “Her attention to detail, even in drill work, is probably the best I’ve had in my 22 years of coaching. In a shortened season, that matters because you know when you get into the gym she is going to get the most out of that time.”

All of that work translated to an elevated level on the offensive end of the floor. Brennan used her aggressiveness and athleticism to get to the basket, get to the free throw line, and also had a burgeoning perimeter game.

“She was able to play at a very high level on both ends of the floor,” Schurtz said. “Other than as a defender, she doesn’t do anything particularly outstanding, but she doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses. Her defense was ridiculously outstanding.

“On the offensive end, she can shoot the 3-pointer, she can finish around the rim, she has a good handle and is a willing passer. But what separates her from so many players is that she is a lock-down, in-your-face defender who drew the opponents best player every single game regardless the position.”

Brennan has committed to attend and play lacrosse beginning next fall at Monmouth University.

“I try to bring my lacrosse skills into basketball and vice versa,” she explained. “It brings a different aspect to my basketball game because it’s some things that most players don’t normally do.

“My team likes to joke around how shifty and quick I am, and some of that comes from footwork skills I’ve incorporated from lacrosse.”

And then there is this from her coach: “Brennan is really just a tough competitor. There were plenty of times throughout the year where she sort of held us together. She does a lot of little things that tend to go unnoticed but ultimately yield wins,” Schurtz said.