Hendersonville's Brooke Long surpasses 1,000 points, joins older brother Jeffrey

Entering Hendersonville’s game against Heritage on Dec. 28 Commando senior, Brooke Long knew she was close to making history.

The 5-foot-8 guard was just seven points away from eclipsing 1,000 points for her career, but at the time, she was unaware of how many points she needed.

“I prepared for the game like normal,” Long said. “I went through all my normal routines and my coaches told me I was really close (to scoring 1,000 points) if I just played my game.”

The Hendersonville coaching staff, however, recognized what was coming.

“We knew if things went according to how they’ve gone so far in the season she would hit 1,000,” coach Andrew Johnson said.

On the season, Long averages 18 points per game, and while she finished with 16 points in the 44-33 loss to Heritage, she says it’s a night she will remember for the rest of her life.

“(Coach) ran a play for me to score an open layup and so I kind of knew it was coming,” the 5-foot-8 guard said. “Coach called timeout, my teammates surrounded me and we celebrated together.”

Long recalls not wanting to celebrate much, electing to focus on the game, but afterwards took time to realize what she had accomplished.

“She’s a winner. Every time she steps on the floor she’s competing and ready to do whatever it takes to win,” Johnson said. “It’s nice to have a kid you can call on in any situation and they have the ability to go do that.”

Brooke joins older brother Jeffrey as the second from the Long family to score 1,000 points at Hendersonville. Middle child Justin wasn’t as fortunate, though Brooke credits both her brothers for helping develop her game.

“It’s funny knowing (Justin) didn’t get 1,000 points even though he was close,” Long said.  “Growing up playing with my brothers I knew I would lose, but I also knew it was making me a better player.”

In addition to her success on the hardwood, Long is also an accomplished track and soccer player earning all-district and all-region honors in soccer.

“I’m just a really competitive person and sports are my passion,” Long explained. “I love the team aspect of sports and that’s why I enjoy playing many different sports.”

Hendersonville will honor Long on Jan. 23 during halftime of the Commando’s game against Lebanon by presenting her with a painted basketball.

“(As a coach) you don’t get a player like her all that often,” Johnson said. “Whenever you have a kid of her caliber you have to enjoy coaching an athlete like that.”

Long will attend Lee University in the fall to compete in track and field.

“I’m so thankful I’ve pushed myself to this point,” Long said of her 1,000-point career. “Each year I’ve become more of a leader. I’m really pleased with how my high school career has gone and how I’ve developed.”