Published: May 12, 2008 11:25 pm         

Brown signs with Concord

Big school or small school?

Basketball or volleyball?

Summers County’s Jolysa Brown had a lot of options as she considered her future in college.

Concord College’s basketball program won out, as she recently signed a letter-of-intent with the Athens school.

“I believe Concord is the best school for me, coming from a little town,” Brown said. “I wanted to stay close to home and I was very comfortable with the coaching staff and team.”

The 6-foot-1 center drew a lot of attention as she led Summers County to back-to-back Class AA state championships.

She averaged 21 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and three steals per game as the Bobcats breezed to a 26-2 record her senior year, losing only to arch-rival Winfield and eventual Class AAA state champion Parkersburg South.

For her efforts, Brown was named West Virginia girls basketball player of the year.

But she’ll also be remembered as Summers’ all-time leading scorer (1,417 points), rebounder (870 boards), shot-blocker (169 shots rejected) and free-throw shooter (395 made).

Not just a big girl who played the post, Brown could move like players half her size.

She would often start a fast break with a rebound, race downcourt and get a return pass for a lay-up.

Other qualities, such as unselfishness, hustle and great passing ability, contributed greatly to Summers’ success.

“Jolysa’s ability to pass the ball and play in the open court will give her an advantage over some (West Virginia) Conference post players,” Summers coach Wayne Ryan said.

Defensively, she often made teams completely change their offenses to avoid her in the paint.

She’ll continue playing in the post for the Mountain Lions, who compiled a 20-9 mark in the WVC last season and will lose center Sam Nester to graduation.

“I’ve been working hard,” Brown said. “I’m hoping that with a little bit of experience I’ll be able to handle it.”

Concord coach Kenny Osborne said he’s “tickled to death” to sign Brown.

“Jolysa knows how to win,” he said. “When you get a kid from Summers County, they’re mentally and physically tough. And she knows how to win in the Charleston Civic Center.”

The Mountain Lions finished as the WVC’s 2007 runner-up, but were knocked off in the quarterfinals this season.

“This year we were close, and in Jolysa we’re getting someone who likes to stay the week and knows how to win that last game on Saturday,” Osborne said.

Brown also drew notice from volleyball coaches from around the state for her strong play at the net last fall.

But by joining Concord’s basketball team, she reunites with her sister Sierra, a junior small forward for the Mountain Lions, plus former Summers teammates Joanna Mills and Sarah Blevins.

“I’m real happy for Jolysa,” Ryan said. “She’s going to play with her sister and she’s going to be able to play in front of a lot of friends and family.

“I think she’ll have a real positive impact for Concord’s program.”

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