By Robert Wilson
Northwest Rankin’s Brendan Brown is going to play football next season at East Mississippi Community College.
The basketball coach at EMCC might want Brown to play on his team as well, especially after what Brown did last week for the Cougars in the MHSAA Class 6A Boys State Tournament.
The 6-foot-2 senior guard scored a career-high 29 points in the semifinals and 20 points in the championship game to lead Northwest Rankin to its first state title in school history.
Brown had 29 points (16 of 18 from the free throw line), 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists in a 58-46 victory over Horn Lake in the semifinals. He had 20 points, (9 of 9 from the line), 5 assists, 2 assists and 2 steals in a 66-52 victory over Rankin County rival Brandon for the state title.
For his outstanding performances, Brown has been named the PriorityOne Bank/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Boys Basketball Player of the Week.
Brown finished his senior season averaging 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals and shot 52 percent from the field, 41 percent from 3-point range and 75 percent from the line for 26-8 Northwest Rankin.
“That’s the definition of a dog,” Luckett said. “Brendan is a different breed. He comes to work every day. Brendan’s as tough as nails. I guess he gets that from football. Brenden has been carrying us the last few games. He is extremely gifted and can take over a game at any time. He’s our tone setter on the defensive end. Brendan really elevated his game in the playoffs.”
Brown, a wide receiver, led the football Cougars with 59 catches, 791 yards and 9 touchdowns last season. After transferring from Yazoo City High after his sophomore year, Brown played football and basketball for the Cougars last season.
