ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Breana Bey knew that she was a good basketball player, a better performer that she was last year when she was a sophomore at Lincoln High School.
But Bey had no idea how much she had improved as she began her junior season with the Lions.
“I knew it was my junior year and I knew I had to make a name for myself,” Bey said. “I had been working on my dribbling, my shooting, my post moves. I wanted to become more of a diverse player.”
Bey spent most of the summer months playing for an AAU team in New York, after a coach spotted her playing last season for the Lions.
“It really helped me a lot,” Bey said. “It helped me develop overall as a player. I knew that when this season was going to start, it was my time to shine.”
However, no one could have ever predicted the rapid improvement Bey would display from the outset of the season – even Bey herself.
“I have to admit, I’m surprised with what I’m doing,” Bey said.
In her first four games of the season against Hudson County foes, Bey has tallied 30 and 29 points respectively in two games against St. Dominic Academy, had 28 against Union City, and 20 in a little more than three quarters of action against McNair Academic.
Perhaps Bey’s best moment came in a double overtime loss to DePaul of Wayne in the Lincoln Holiday Tournament, when a handful of college coaches came to see Jade Walker and Brianah Ramos of DePaul, but left wondering about Bey.
Bey had 18 points and 12 rebounds in the loss to DePaul, proving that she is definitely a legit player and worthy of some college attention.
“I was excited about it,” Bey said. “I really didn’t know what to say to them. They came up to me after the game and asked about me. It’s a good feeling getting some recognition.”
The 5-foot-9 junior is definitely gaining more and more attention with every game – and deservedly so.
“She’s doing well,” Lincoln girls’ head coach Tommy Best said. “She works hard and is willing to learn. She wants to get better. It was a no-brainer that she should step up this year and we all knew that she was going to have a great year. She’s a gifted girl with a lot of talent. She definitely can play with the top athletes in the state.”
Averaging 25 points and 12 rebounds per game for the first five games of the season is proof of that.
For her efforts, Bey has been selected as The Hudson Reporter Athlete of the Week for the past week and she’s the first honoree for 2012.
Best, who as a player went from Lincoln to first Lafayette and later St. Peter’s College, knows a little bit about having the skills to become a college player.
“She does play under the basket for us, but she can go outside as well,” Best said. “She can shoot from outside and shoots the 3-pointer well. Her head is in the right place and knows she can play at the next level. She’s also doing it on the defensive side. It’s not just her offense. She’s also a pretty good student. I’ve seen girls go on to the next level and there’s no question, she can play at the next level.”
Bey is driven by that goal.
“I know that it’s all about my grades,” said Bey, who carries a B average in her studies. “I think I’m good with the math and the reading, so when I take the SAT [Scholastic Aptitude Test], I’ll be ready. But I want to win a championship here at Lincoln. That’s the main goal. I think we can become a better team than we are already. We can prove some people wrong by winning. Everything is going well right now, but a championship would feel nice.”
Bey was asked the biggest difference in her since last year.
“I’m going for the ball more and my guards are getting me the ball, looking for me at all times,” Bey said. “And once I get the ball in the paint, I’m a monster. If I get the ball, I’m a monster.”
Bey was reminded that young ladies wouldn’t want to refer to themselves as a monster. She just smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
“Yeah, I guess,” Bey said. “But that’s what I am. It’s okay.”
Bey said that she doesn’t mind getting the recognition that comes with being a standout player.
“It’s a challenge to me,” Bey said. “I have to bring my A game every night. I am looking forward to more challenges. It’s just the beginning for me. I know some teams are going to put three people on me to try to stop me. I guess that comes with being a good player.”
As for making a name for herself?
“Yeah, I like that,” Bey said. “I know it’s good now and I can improve even more. I’m in good company. It’s a good feeling getting recognition for what I do.”
“She’s now starting to get noticed,” said Best, who has guided the Lions to a solid 5-1 start this season. “She’s proving that she’s [NCAA] Division I material. She still has a lot to learn and she has to keep learning, but she’s getting there.” – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.