BROOKE MISSRY AND MERCYHURST…. ARE ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY

Two years ago Brooke Missry had to make the biggest decision of her young basketball career. Her mentor and angel Rick Leary suddenly died. He was the owner and face of US HOOPS. He was the man the developed tons of basketball players. He coached Brooke’s older sister Hannah , who was a star player at Jackson Memorial and Fordham University. Hannah scored over a 1000 points at both schools and will one day be in both schools hall of fame. Brooke meanwhile had to decide what was next for her. While last night we found out what was next. That’s because she gave MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY A VERBAL COMMITMENT.

When the New Jersey Demons organization was going through changes after losing Rich Leary. Brooke Missry had to find a new AAU team. She had spent her entire career with Demons and the US HOOPS organization. She was like a piece of furniture in the gym. She was always around since the day she could walk. US HOOPS was her family. They taught her all she knows about the game. But now she needed a new home.A place where she could fit in and receive that all important exposure players need in the recruiting process. She decided to take a chance of the program that produces more D1 players than all AAU teams combined in New Jersey. The SHORESHOTS. It turns out to have been a very good decision. The Shoreshots gave Brooke everything she was looking for and she gave them her heart and soul. Together they both delivered on their hopes and dreams.

Brooke Missry is one of the smartest players around. Her IQ is off the charts. Her skill level and understanding how to maximize her talent is a gift. She is also a gym rat. Weather it driving 45 mins to US HOOPS for a workout or shooting for hours with her dad in the park.But the real genius in all this is Tom Flaherty. He his daughter is the all time leading scorer in Michigan history. He is a master teacher, one of the best. It was he that spent long hours in the gym and in the park, harnessing Brooke Missry talent. The same way he did for her older sister Hannah. Tom is a task master and he taught Brooke how to work and grind. He taught her how to elevate her game. Brooke has learned her lessons well. Tom has reason to celebrate because he and BROOKE have made a dream of playing D1 basketball a reality.

Brooke has made more big plays in her career at St. Rose than you can count. Her game trying “BOMB “ at the buzzer to tie and send the game vs St. Rose into overtime for a win, will go down in history. Her one woman show vs RBC in the SCT final was show stopping. But when it comes to Brooke one word comes to mind, “versatility” on both sides of the ball. She can guard all five positions. On offense she is effective at all 5 positions. She is an excellent passer, rebounder and all important ball screener. She is a great teammate and more importantly friend to all. Brooke Missry knows how to embrace her peers. It a real skill sets that many kids lack!

The Shoreshots have tons of talent. All of there players are off to D1 schools except one who is off to a D2 school. They have a roster of Alpha Females. Tracey Sabino and Jen Liggio both have found the magic to teach them how to play together. They make sure no one player is crowned. They make sure all their players get featured. They convinced the parents that AAU is about exposure and understanding the importance of player development is the key. This is why the Shore-shots are the most successful organization. They get the right kids and right parents. When it comes to Brooke Missry and her parents. The Shoreshots hit it out the park. Mercyhurst University is about to find out, the Missry family does not do drama. They don’t finger pointing, they are the type of parents you want to showcase and use as a role model for all parents. They are winning parents in every way…

Brooke Missry’s parents, MONICA AND VINCE are old school but the right school. When she didn’t play much as a freshman. Her father said her time will come. When she didn’t play well, he said we just have to work harder. When her teammates like all kids do, got a little selfish at times. Her mom held her tongue. You see Vince and Monica have seen it and done it all with their older daughter Hannah. Vince and Monica know the ups and downs of high school and AAU basketball. They know the drama, deceit and lack of trust that comes with it. They stay above such things. They root hard for their daughter and do it the right way. They figured out long ago, that you don’t have to be mean sprinted or walk over bodies to help your child reach her goals. Vince and Monica are parents coaches miss when they’re daughters are gone. They’re getting harder and harder to find.

Coach Mills and Mercyhurst are getting it done in a major way. They are building real relationships up and down the East Coast. They understand “ recruit, daily or parish.”. Coach Mills is stacking up talent. But more importantly good people. Brooke had a role model in her big sister. Great coaching along the way. She has seen high stakes basketball. Mercyhurst will know that kids from good families are program kids. The type you never want to say goodbye too. IWell they don’t come much better than Brooke Missry and her family. Brooke , knows how to practice. She understands hard work and accountability. She will be embraced by the coaching staff, student body , administration and teammates. THE MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY FAMILY JUST GOT BIGGER AND BETTER…. Congratulations to BROOKE AND TEAM MISSRY