A summer of preparation

By Corine Gatti The News Virginian
Published: July 26, 2008

Former Waynesboro standout Devon Brown is on the move at Liberty University, preparing for her NCAA Division I debut in the Big South Conference this fall.
Brown has been hitting the books at summer school while working out for her new squad and it has been a busy month for the newest addition to the Flames squad. She led the Virginia High School Coaches Association West all-stars to a victory with 17 points on July 1 in Hampton and was named the MVP days before making the trip to her new home in Lynchburg.
After the final touches were added on her high school career, the VHSL’s second highest all-time scorer now faces a world of fiercer competition on the hardwood.
“This is a whole different level than playing in high school,” Flames coach Carey Green said. “When some of our seniors return, they are not going to just give up their places.”
The Flames have nine seniors coming back and Brown will have to earn her spot.
“Devon has great talent and I’m glad she chose to be with us. But it’s not going to be easy,” Green said.
Brown is aware of the circumstances.
“It’s a new experience,” Brown said. “I am really happy to be here. It will be different than it was at home, but I hope I can do a good job. A starting position? I will have to really work hard to get there.”
Fans will still get a shot to see Brown take the court, even though her minutes will be limited.
“I give my freshmen playing time,” Green said. “They need to get the experience, so they can be ready when they are sophomores. Devon will get between 10 and 11 minutes of playing time each game this season. I will not let her go stale. I’m not trying to give a political speech, but there are many factors that go into development. I have to see how Devon grows and adjusts.”
But the hurdles don’t bother the guard.
“I’m not going to worry or get nervous,” Brown said. “I am really hopeful.”
Green said that his rookie has the right mix to go the distance.
“Devon has good knowledge of the game,” Green said. “She has a great basketball IQ and has a great scoring touch. She will do very well on our team.”
Brown credits a host of coaches with her success, including former Waynesboro basketball skipper Brian Lundstrom. Lundstrom coached Brown for three years before stepping down from the Little Giants program before her senior year.
“I coached Devon when she was a freshman and I knew that this kid had something,” Lundstrom said. “I would watch her play against the boys at the YMCA when she was 8 or 9 years old; she was something. I think that she has made Waynesboro proud. I’m proud of her.”
And Brown remembers her roots.
“I have known coach Lundstrom for a while. He was a very good coach. I liked playing for him and being on his team,” Brown said.
Brown left a mark during her high school career and the newest version of the VHSL record book shows it. In addition to being the state’s second highest all-time scorer, she also earned a spot in history with 513 rebounds in her final season, eclipsing the 22-year-old record by nearly 100 boards. She is also third all-time in free throw shooting (628 points), career rebounds (1,329) and points scored in a season (916).
Liberty will debut its 2008-09 women’s basketball squad during the preseason Women’s National Invitation Tournament on Nov. 14.