Brockman on offense

  • By Mike Allende / Herald Writer
  • Friday, March 24, 2006 9:00pm
  • Sports

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Jon Brockman has been hearing it from fans, from the media, heck, even from his own team: We don’t need you to be our leading scorer, but we do need you to score.

After being held scoreless through the first two games of the NCAA Tournament – and taking just two shots – the 6-foot-7 freshman power forward from Snohomish apparently got the message.

Always aggressive on the boards and on defense, Brockman finally showed an aggression on offense that had been missing recently in Washington’s 98-92 Sweet 16 loss to Connecticut Friday.

“It just came tonight,” Brockman said. “They give me the freedom to do that, they want me to do that. A lot of times I only have one guy on me, and I need to take advantage of that. I’m comfortable doing it. I wasn’t thinking about it, I was just lost in the game. I just wish I could have done it with us winning.”

Brockman, who garnered McDonald’s All-American honors last season and was one of the nation’s top recruits, scored 11 points – his most since March 2 – and was 4-for-6 from the field. Five of his points came in overtime as he tried desperately to keep Washington’s season alive.

Brockman, sporting a foot-long scratch on his arm suffered in practice earlier this week, broke his scoring slump with a jump shot about a minute into the game, putting Washington on the scoreboard for the first time. He made another jump shot later in the half before picking up his third foul with 9 minutes to play and going to the bench. Brockman was calling for the ball for the first time in the tournament, and took three shots in the first half.

After making two free throws early in the second half to give Washington its biggest lead at 51-40, Brockman went scoreless the rest of the half and spent plenty of time on the bench in foul trouble.

But in overtime, Brockman came alive. He scored on a layup to tie the score at 84, then tipped in a miss to tie it at 86. With Washington down 88-86, Brockman made one foul shot but missed the second and UConn went on to win.

Brockman said he didn’t necessarily make a conscious effort to be more of a factor on offense, though he seemed to call for the ball more and certainly looked for his shot, stepping out and taking some jump shots that he has been reluctant to do lately. That could bode well for next season, when he will be asked to be a bigger part of the offense.

But on Friday, a clearly distraught yet composed Brockman said he just did what he could to help the team.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Lake Stevens’ Kamryn Mason attempts to flip Glacier Peak’s Kyla Brown onto her back during 110-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vikings girls wrestling conquers 4A District 1 Tournament

Lake Stevens dominated with champions in six weight classes and 18 total state-qualifiers

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) smiles as head coach Nick Sirianni holds up the Lombardi trophy after they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. (Timothy A. Clary / AFP / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Eagles overwhelm Chiefs to win the Super Bowl

The Philadelphia Eagles perhaps did not vanquish the Kansas… Continue reading

Coach Derek Lopez (far right) and the Lake Stevens boys' wrestling team celebrates with their championship trophy at the WIAA 4A District 1 Tournament at Jackson High School on Feb. 8, 2025.
Lake Stevens boys capture district wrestling title

The Vikings had 17 state-qualifiers; second-place Arlington led with five weight class winners

Edmonds-Woodway wrestlers react to a pin during the match against Meadowdale on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys wrestling roundup for Saturday, Feb. 8

Edmonds-Woodway boys wins Wesco 3A South wrestling title.

Kamiak’s Kai Burgess has her arm raised in the air after beating Arlington’s Jaymari O’Neal in the 125-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Rebuilding Kamiak girls wrestling steps forward at District Tournament

Ki Burgess and Eden Cole each won their weight class in Friday’s WIAA District 1 Girls’ 4A Tournament

Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 8

Tulalip Heritage boys advance to district title game.

Meadowdale’s Kyairra Roussin takes the ball to the hoop during the game against Archbishop Murphy on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep girls basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Kyairra Roussin’s deep buzzer-beater lifts Meadowdale over Stanwood.

Prep boys basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Lake Stevens passes Mariner in league standings to take final district slot.

Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren watches his team against Washington Sunday, November 9, 2003. (George Bridges / KRT / Tribune News Services)
No Holmgren in Hall is a travesty

The Former Seahawks coach carries a resume superior to many already in the HOF.

A Snohomish School District truck clears the parking lot at Glacier Peak High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
Inclement weather cancellations strain high school sports calendar

With state tournaments on the horizon, ADs from Wesco, Northwest and Kingco must be flexible

Gonzaga overcomes stagnant start to beat LMU

Bulldogs get ‘best of best’ play down the stretch in 73-53 win.

Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates during a stop of the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field on Nov. 24, 2024 (Photo courtesy of Rod Mar / Seattle Seahawks)
Leonard Williams restructures Seahawks deal

More moves may be coming as Seattle deals with salary cap.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.