It was a proud moment for the Tracey and Keith Brown, seated at a table in the library of their alma mater, looking on as their youngest daughter signed a letter accepting a full scholarship to C.W. Post College.
Jalyn Brown will be playing on the women's basketball team next fall at Post, where she plans to study physical education and physical therapy.
The two-time all-county player and honor student won a full ride to Post — worth about $50,000 per year — becoming the first girls basketball player to accept a scholarship in more than a decade, said Riverhead athletic director Bill Groth.
A five-year Blue Waves varsity basketball player — she made the varsity team as an 8th grader, playing on the team that won the league title in 2007-2008 — Jalyn's a chip off the old block, said her beaming father. Brown wore a Blue Waves basketball uniform and helped his team win a league championship in the 1970s.
"We both have our pictures in the trophy case," Brown said.
Brown was preparing his daughter for this moment her entire life. "I put a basketball pacifier in her mouth," he recalled, only half-jokingly. "From there we went to little Nerf balls. We even had a basketball hoop in the bathtub."
Jalyn said getting the offer from Post so early in the season was a surprise and a relief.
"Now I don't have to worry about it," she said. "I can just relax and play basketball."
Post was one of about six schools recruiting Jalyn. She chose Post because it has a great coaching staff and the team plays the fast-pace game she so enjoys. "I just want to run," she said.
The 5'4" point guard averages 14 points a game. "My size doesn't intimidate me," Jalyn said. "I still play as hard as girls six-foot and above."
"She is a positive all-around athlete," Groth said.
Coach David Spinella, in his ninth year as the girls varsity coach, said Jalyn's scholarship was nice for the school's basketball program "but today's about her and her family," he said.
"She's worked so hard her whole life," the coach said. "Now she can relax and enjoy the game."
"We're very proud of her," said Jalyn's mother. "Neither of us got the chance to go to college," Tracey Brown said. "It means a lot to see her go there. She's my baby and I couldn't ask for anything more."
RiverheadLOCAL basketball photos by George Faella.
