Lady Topper Hoops: Tashia Brown Year-in-Review
In my preseason preview on Tashia Brown, I said:
In my preseason preview on Tashia Brown, I said:
The Lady Toppers need Tashia to step up this year and be the superstar she was in 2015–16. From a statistical perspective, Coach Michelle Clark-Heard would love to see her dropping 20 points on a consistent basis, grabbing some rebounds, and contributing in other areas. If she could develop some moves to get her to the basket and improve her outside shooting, she would be unstoppable.
Tashia exceeded all expectations in 2017–18. She was unbelievable, amassing a top five all-time individual season in Lady Topper history. She scored 742 points, averaged over two steals per game and increased her free throw percentage and rebounds significantly from previous years.
Most amazingly, Tashia made 63 more free throws than she had ever attempted in a single season. Perhaps her greatest weakness was from behind the arc, where she only nailed down 20 percent this season. Regardless, Tashia was a bona fide superstar and consequently was picked up by the New York Liberty as an undrafted free agent. Tashia would be the fourth ever Lady Topper to play in the WNBA, possibly joining Lady Topper legends ShaRae Mansfield, Tiffany Porter-Talbert, and Crystal Kelly.
The Lady Toppers once again dominated Conference USA, being the best team in the league before the final week tarnished a sparkling regular season record. Without question, the Lady Toppers, without Tashia, would have been a very average women’s basketball team.
Tashia was a go-to scorer at any moment, and with less scoring depth than most recent Lady Topper squads, Tashia and Ivy Brown were the focus of opposing defenses.
Despite most defensive efforts, Tashia did whatever she wanted, driving left or right, pulling up, and elevating straight over opposing defenders for her patented left-handed mid-range jump shot.
Without question, Tashia did her part for the 2017–18 squad. As was rightfully expected, she became the superstar Lady Topper fans prayed for. She scored at least 12 in every game of the season, dropping as many as 38 (vs. Charlotte 2/23) in any one game. Unfortunately, the brilliant careers of the Browns ended unceremoniously at the hands of future Elite 8 team Oregon State, 82–58 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Lady Topper fans should remember Tashia as one of the true all-time greats in Hilltopper basketball. Tashia did nothing but continue to exceed expectations from the moments she arrived in 2014 to the moment she leaves us in 2018.