Brooke Schaefer is the latest Brandon High School varsity girls basketball player to join the Brandon-to-Oakland Community College pipeline.
Schaefer, a senior, signed a letter of intent to play women’s basketball at OCC Wednesday, April 26 at the Brandon High School Media Center, 1025 S. Ortonville Road, Ortonville.
She joins Patrice Andre, Lauhnna Waybrant and Jen McCarty as Brandon players who have signed with the Lady Raiders in the past four years.
Waybrant completed her sophomore season with OCC in 2005-06, playing 22.1 minutes per game and starting in 16 of her 24 games played. She averaged 3.9 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game and 2.6 assists per game.
Brandon varsity girls basketball coach Bryan Ray said Schaefer chose OCC because of its nursing program, and added the number of Brandon alumni at OCC was likely a factor as well.
‘They enjoy (OCC Women’s) Coach (Marv) Allen, and I’m sure Brooke’s talked to them,? he said.
Schaefer said she talked to several of the Brandon graduates at OCC before signing, and she said they told her that Allen ‘is a good coach and I’ll have fun playing there.?
She also said she’s prepared for OCC’s nursing program by attending the Oakland Tech Center, 8211 Big Lake Road, Springfield Township, for half the day and BHS the other half.
For his part, Allen said he is happy Schaefer is with the Lady Raiders. ‘We’re excited about her coming,? he said. ‘She’ll be a good addition to the team.?
Schaefer said the main attributes she will bring to the Lady Raiders are ‘strength and love of the game.?