West Aurora’s Jordan Brooks stood with eight fellow seniors for a special moment Friday night.
The 6-foot-2 guard experienced a wide range of emotions in the process.
“I was trying to do whatever possible just to stay level out there,” Brooks said after soaking up the pomp and circumstance. “It was hard not to think about everything over the last couple of years.
“It’s a great feeling when you are out on this court and the gym is packed.”
Brooks stayed super hot on an otherwise bittersweet night, scoring 21 points for a near-miracle rally, but his hot hand could not prevent a 48-44 Southwest Prairie West loss to Plainfield North.
Senior guard CJ Savage added nine points for host West Aurora (18-10, 10-4), which ended up shooting only 5 of 13 from the free-throw line.
A 6-foot-2 left-hander, Brooks showed off the full range of his offensive game Monday while pouring in a career-high 35 points against Plainfield South.
“My teammates have been finding me,” he said. “And I’ve been hitting shots.”
Brooks followed up his career high with 22 points Wednesday against Plainfield Central.
“He’s just been so solid, especially the last nine or 10 games,” West Aurora coach Michael Fowler said. “I am just really glad I have been able to coach him. He plays basketball at a high level.
“You saw how he made some very tough shots for us.”
Jason Williams, another senior guard, sparked West Aurora with hustle and energy off the bench.
“Jordan’s a great player, especially offensively,” Williams said. “He’s very unpredictable with his game. He’s left-handed, really cool, and people don’t know what to expect or how to guard him.”
As a result, Brooks displays a talent that translates to any level of the game.
”I can shoot the basketball,” he said.
In a special pregame ceremony that highlighted the seniors, Brooks said his favorite food is chicken wings and his favorite movie is “The Dark Knight.”
With the Blackhawks playing four games this week due to games rescheduled by weather, Brooks basically became a particular brand of avenger for his team. He’s one who set the tone.
“We really want to finish the season strong and be ready for the state playoffs,” he said. “Everybody was a little upset we got the ninth seed in the sectional.
“We’re going to come out and show what we’re capable of.”
Brooks showed the ability Friday to score off the dribble, switch hands or step out and hit the outside jumper. Playing his last home game, he naturally reflected on his personal journey.
He played his first two seasons at Oswego before transferring to West Aurora the summer before his junior season.
“Coming in, I was always pretty comfortable,” Brooks said. “I knew most of the guys here, so everything really clicked. Ever since then, everything has been like a big family.”
Now, Brooks is trying to negotiate two different time frames — the closing rush of his senior season and deciding on the next chapter with his college recruiting.
Keen to study sports management in college, Brooks has scholarship offers from Aurora University and North Park, but the urgency remains to finish on his own terms.
“We really appreciate all the work he does for us on the floor,” Fowler said of Brooks.
The heartbreaking loss to Plainfield North only intensifies the sense of looking both forward and backward simultaneously.
“I’ve really created great bonds during the time I’ve been here,” Brooks said. “Whatever happens, it’s going to be a hard transition from this group. It has been a very emotional couple of years.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
