Any athlete who has had to contend with injuries understands the pain, frustration and challenges that come with them. Mountain Ridge High School’s Brooklyn Simon is no stranger to these trials. 

Simon, a senior guard on the girls basketball team, has had bad luck with injuries throughout her career. Simon has torn tendons, broken her ankles and even suffered broken bones in her back. The injuries have taken a toll on her body and her mental health. Overcoming the injuries has required many hours of hard work and a significant amount of dedication, resilience and positive thinking. 

“It was very hard mentally and physically to take a step back from all physical activity over the summer, but it was necessary,” she said. “I had to keep a positive attitude while I watched my team go on and get better and I sat on the sidelines. And now returning to the game as the season starts, trying to find my full potential again is very difficult, but I will not be giving up, and I know I will find it.”

After returning to the court this season, Simon has assumed a support role on the team. Her main focus has been to get healthier so she can contribute to the Sentinels’ bid for a region title and state tournament run. 

“Right now, coming back from injury I am focusing on taking amazing care of my body,” Simon said. “I see the trainer every day and watch my health. Anything to stay healthy and able to play, I will be there.”

Simon has been playing competitive basketball for about 10 years, having first started at age 8. Basketball wasn’t necessarily always in her sights, but the game quickly grew on her. 

“What got me started was I always needed to be active and playing a sport, so when my cousin’s Jr. Jazz team needed a girl, I joined and loved it since,” she said. 

Though she loves basketball because of its competitiveness and because of the skills she has learned and developed, for her, it’s all about developing friendships. Simon doesn’t want to stop playing anytime soon. 

“What I enjoy most about the game is the relationships I have built in the basketball world,” she said. “What motivates me to keep playing is the thought that the ball will stop bouncing one day, and I do not want that day to be anytime soon. It’s a scary thought that drives me to keep playing because I love this sport so much that the thought that one day it will all end is terrifying.”

It’s easy to build strong relationships at Mountain Ridge, she said. 

Simon appreciates the atmosphere the coaches have established in the program. The coaches’ and players’ attitudes are infectious, she said, and everyone is determined to work hard and be successful. 

“The best thing about playing for Mountain Ridge is the culture,” she said. “The relationships I have with my teammates, coaches and staff is amazing and wouldn’t trade it for the world. The coaches are very educated in the sport, and it’s amazing to see what Coach Britt sees on D and what Coach Matt can find on O and how Coach Kenzie pulls it all together. What I love most about this team is the passion and dedication of my teammates are what I love most. Everyone is driven, and that makes the work environment inspiring. Everyone knows that goal and respect what the coaches put us through knowing it will get us to our shared goal.”

Simon’s injury woes have been difficult for her. However, she has learned important lessons from dealing with these setbacks. Simon has become an important leader for the Sentinels, and she knows what it takes to battle through adversity. She shares these traits with her teammates. 

“My strengths as a player are my leadership skills and positive attitude,” she said. “It’s a small but very crucial role on this team. I would like to hope I have everyone’s back and they can come to me with anything and everything, and I’m here to be a friend and a leader. With the tough environment we are put through sometimes, all a team needs is a positive light that can be a leader. It’s not hard for me because I love each one of those girls with all my heart. I would also like to think I bring many things on the court and game-like situations as well.”

Aside from staying injury-free the rest of the way in this her senior year, Simon wants to help Mountain Ridge win a championship. The Sentinels started the season by winning six of their first nine games, with Simon chipping in two points, 1.6 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 0.8 steals a contest. 

“As a team, we all made goals—for example, win region—along with many other goals that drive us every day,” she said. “My goal is to enjoy myself. It’s easy to get caught up in playing time, performance and doughnuts.”

Mountain Ridge will conclude the season Feb. 13 at defending Class 6A runner-up Copper Hills. The state playoffs follow. Once the season is over, Simon’s career as a Sentinel will end. Though her plans aren’t yet definite, she wants to keep playing basketball as long as possible. She also is excited to pursue a college degree and career. 

“I am talking to a few colleges about playing at the next level, which would be a dream,” she said. “But at the same time, I was accepted into Utah State University to study animal science, which is also my dream. Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to become a veterinarian. At the moment, I haven’t decided, but I do know in the end I will be happy and be a veterinarian one day.” λ