Skaneateles’ Brooke DeRosalia aims to build on impressive freshman campaign
Brooke DeRosalia played for Skaneateles’ girls basketball in eighth grade. Now a sophomore, she's chasing the Section III Class B Sectionals. Courtesy of Angelo DeRosalia
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In sixth grade, Brooke DeRosalia broke her right wrist, forcing her into a cast for two months. During that time, her determination never wavered.
In place of practicing with the team, she went to the gym each morning before school with her father, Angelo DeRosalia, helping her regain enough strength in her non-dominant left hand to return to the court.
“My dad took it as an opportunity for me to get better,” Brooke said.
As soon as Brooke was cleared to play, she tried out for the BBA Swarm, a Skaneateles-based competitive youth team. While playing with the Swarm, her confidence improved. Brooke quickly realized she could compete with others in her age group, which in turn improved her game.
“(That was) one of the first opportunities that I had to play AAU ball at a higher level of competition,” Brooke said.
Since that experience, Brooke has already solidified a pivotal role for Skaneateles girls basketball. As an eighth grader, she helped the Lakers reach the Section III Class B Sectionals, where they lost to Utica Notre Dame. The next year as a freshman, she continued to grow, appearing in 20 games while averaging 7.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks per game.
Now, the 5-foot-9 power forward will play a larger shooting role and be one of Skaneateles’ go-to pass-first facilitators in her sophomore year after the Lakers graduated six seniors.
“She’s taller, so I think she can do a bit of everything,” Skaneateles head coach Jim Szalach said. “There’s not really a position she can’t play.”
Brooke’s joy for basketball started in second grade. However, she broke her wrist just four years later, halting her development. But she came back with the Swarm even stronger.
After excelling with the Swarm, Brooke earned the opportunity to play for Skaneateles in eighth grade, playing in one game against Utica Notre Dame and sinking her only two free throw attempts. She led the Lakers to the playoffs as a freshman and now has lofty aspirations for her sophomore year.
Over the offseason, Brooke focused on her post moves, 3-point shooting and ball-handling skills. This fall, her father added that Brooke spends every night in her basement, on the goal on her street or playing pickup at the local YMCA after completing schoolwork. After her six 3s last season ranked third on the team, Brooke hopes to make a larger scoring impact this season, especially from the perimeter.
This summer, Brooke also continued to play competitively in tournaments against other talented central New York players with the Syracuse Nets Amateur Athletic Union team. She’s also attended Le Moyne basketball camps and others hosted by former NBA and SU forward John Wallace and WNBA All-Star Breanna Stewart, who hails from Syracuse.
Skaneateles ended last season on a high note by reaching the playoffs. With Brooke returning, the Lakers will look to carry their momentum into this season. To have the best season possible, Brooke said she needs to be a more confident shooter and a force on the glass.
Szalach added he expects Brooke’s faith to come more naturally after her breakout freshman year. He knows that could be challenging as one of Skaneateles’ younger players, but Brooke is looking forward to the opportunity as she tries to continue the Lakers’ playoff standard.
Playing college basketball is the goal for Brooke. Though she doesn’t have any college offers yet, she’s only a sophomore and still has two years to boost her stock. For now, though, she’s focused on leading the Lakers to success.
