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Shooting hoops and aiming for the stars

By Sarah Shurge players during summer. He’s
“We run our program to prepare coached basketball, football, base-
them for the next level,” said Steve ball, and a soccer game once.
Brooks, Wayne Memorial boys var- “It's all the same, regardless of the
sity basketball head coach. sport,” said Brooks.
Brooks has a long history in In high school, Brooks played all
coaching, but he cares more about sports, but football and baseball
the students than the record. were his passion back then. He
“Anything you want to achieve in didn’t want to stop playing until
life takes discipline. We’re big on some knee surgeries slowed him
doing the right things; following the down. He stumbled into coaching,
rules. It’s about who you represent - starting at middle school and work-
you and family first, then Wayne Me- ing his way up.
morial. The name on your back is Brooks doesn’t have a favorite
important,” said Brooks. level of coaching, but he truly enjoys
Boys basketball season starts in where he’s at now.
November and lasts until mid- “I like this level because I like get-
March, however, Brooks explains ting kids to college. You can make a
during the off-season the students bigger difference in the life of a kid
are encouraged to do individual while they’re still in high school than
training with conditioning, the a college student when they are more
weight room, games, etc. of a finished product,” said Brooks.
At the beginning of the season, Brooks’ favorite part about being
Brooks has all the student athletes a coach is just being around the kids.
write a paper on why they want “We develop kids and make them
to/are playing basketball. This helps better. We watch them grow and
the coaches understand where the achieve things they thought they
students are coming from and what couldn't achieve prior,” said Brooks.
their goals are. At the end of season, “We teach them how to deal with ad-
Brooks has them write a reflection versity.”
paper on how they think the season Brooks wants the team to be
went, and all underclassmen have to known in the community in a posi-
write 10 things to work on/improve. tive way, so some of the students
Practice during the season is spoke at the First Congregational
every day on school days from 2:15 - Church of Wayne and had a team
4:30 p.m. and then study table from meal prepared for them. He also had
4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Study table is re- some team members speak at the
quired for students to keep up with Steve Brooks, Wayne Memorial boys varsity basketball head coach Wayne Rotary Club.
their academics and keeps everyone the star player breaks rules, he gets showcase games this season. “It's bigger than basketball,” said
eligible to play. the same consequences as everyone “On game day you should be pre- Brooks.
Study table is not mandatory for else,” said Brooks. pared the whole day,” said Brooks. Brooks thanks the City of Wayne
students with a 3.2 accumulated The Wayne Memorial boys var- Brooks believes social media has for all of the support it has provided
GPA or higher, however, they are en- sity basketball was ranked #5 with too many distractions, so students' but also wanted to add that none of
couraged to stay and be tutors to the a 14-2 record (at the time of inter- phones need to be off on the way to the success he’s had would have
other students. view) and has the possibility of play- and from the game. been possible without the help of his
After a hard or difficult practice, ing in the conference game, then the “You don't have your mind on the great staff.
Brooks hosts a “positive accountabil- playoff championship, and then pos- game if you're on social media. You Stefhan Allen has been with
ity circle” where each student gets to sibly the state tournament. should be talking to your team- Brooks for 22 years, Ryan Brooks
talk about what happened that day. “That's the goal. Our team is close mates,” said Brooks. has been with him since 2010, and
This allows everyone a chance to in terms of bonding and that helps. Brooks has been coaching at Todd Richardson since 2012. Tim
clear the air so everyone goes home We’ve got a pretty good chance but Wayne Memorial since 2022, coach- Hollenbeck has been the freshman
feeling good. there's some really good teams out ing varsity teams since 2001, and coach for the past two seasons.
“The team is really a family. there,” said Brooks. coaching sports teams for years be- Marhea Williams is the team
They’re brothers for real and have The team travelled to Traverse fore then. mom that has prepared or helped to
each other's backs. They share the City on the weekend of Saturday, “I wasn't the best player, but I al- arrange the team meals for 12 years.
ball on the court, there's no jealousy February 8th, for a showcase game. ways knew what to do. All the guys She also reserves hotel rooms and
of someone else having success,” Showcase games allow the team told me I should get into coaching, restaurant reservations when the
said Brooks. to play against teams that aren't in so finally when I got in my 40’s I de- team is on the road.
Brooks makes sure to treat all of their conference. These games also cided to do it,” said Brooks. Brooks had former players that
his players equally. bring college scouts, so the students Brooks has coached girls teams, came aboard last season, Avery
“I pride myself on being fair to have a chance to be seen. boys teams, middle school, high
them. All of my players are equal. If Brooks has taken the team to five school, college, and even some pro See Coach, page 14
The Wayne Dispatch · February 2025 · 3