By Michael Lindsay
Upperman High School added another name to the rafters Friday evening as former Lady Bee standout Brooklyn Crouch’s #3 was retired at halftime of the boys game against Cumberland County.
“I had no idea and never thought this would be happening,” Crouch said. “Coach Dana (McWilliams) called me a few weeks ago and was like ‘how would you like to see your jersey hanging up in the rafters?’ and I just started bawling my eyes out. I remember my freshman year looking up there at Akira’s (Leavy) number hanging up and was like ‘I really wish that could be me.’ It’s a dream come true.”
Crouch, a 2022 graduate of Upperman, plays college basketball at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She was named Miss Basketball in 2022, won the 2022 Class 3A state championship, was named 2022 all-state tournament team, 2022 District 7AAA MVP, was a two-time TSWA all-state selection, three-time district defensive MVP, four-time all-region tournament team and made the Class 2A Final Four in 2020 before COVID-19 canceled the tournament. Crouch had a 116-19 overall record at Upperman and she scored over 1,000 career points.
“What a special player Brooklyn was,” said Upperman coach Dana McWilliams. “She did so many great things and was an incredible player for us; four-year starter, Miss Basketball and a state champion. Her career couldn’t have ended any better. She’s an even better person. Every time I coached her, in games or practice, she gave all she’s got.”
Crouch’s number was retired less than one year after her final game in a Lady Bee uniform.
“It’s different for different players, and what she did speaks for itself,” McWilliams said. “There are so many incredible moments for her. The standards here are big. She’s up there with a lot of good company. What she had done, it was easy.”
Crouch’s #3 is now in the rafters along with Reagan Hurst’s #10, Akira Leavy’s #2, Lashay Davis’ #14 and Emily Christian’s #40.
