Wednesday night at Susquehanna Valley, Norwich senior, Bryn Loomis was having an off shooting night. The Tornado’s third-year starting guard missed every one of her shots in the first half. Despite her failed efforts at scoring, she remained a vital contributor to the offense, while playing her usual brand of lock-down defense.
“Bryn really understands how to get others involved when she is not making shots,” said Norwich varsity girls basketball coach, Josh Bennett. “She’s a great passer, and so good at moving the ball.”
True to the saying, “you can’t keep a good woman down,” Loomis had a prototypical second half against the Sabers scoring 12 points as NHS won for the fourth time in five outings this season.
Loomis, now in her third year as a starting guard for the Tornado, has elevated an already high-level game in nearly every way. She is now the leading scorer, and is unquestionably the team’s primary defensive stopper. Her only perceived weakness, long-range shooting, is now a strength. Really, there is little Bryn Loomis cannot do on the basketball court.
“She is just a great athlete, and she had the opportunity to play at a pretty high level during the offseason,” Bennett said. “That’s taken her game and her understanding of the game to a whole new level.”
At the 31st Annual Norwich Pennysaver Tournament last weekend, Loomis consistently displayed that high level of play scoring 37 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, pocketed 11 steals, and had six assists to lead Norwich to a third straight Pennysaver title, while also earning the honor as Most Valuable Player.
The NHS senior is also our MVP this week as Smith Ford Supercenter/Evening Sun Athlete of the Week.
Through last weekend, Loomis was averaging a team-high 16.8 points per game, nearly four steals, and four rebounds as well. Her ability to create offensive opportunities through dribble penetration makes her the perfect fit in Norwich’s offensive scheme. And on defense, when Bennett is handing out the toughest assignment, Loomis is the unquestioned first choice to take the job. “I know I have said this before, but I think (Bryn) is the best on-the-ball defender that I’ve seen,” Bennett said. “I can’t think of anyone better.”
What makes Loomis so tough is that she is not only quick and athletic, but she is physically strong, particularly in her upper body. Bennett said that when an offensive player gets the corner on Loomis and has maybe a half step advantage, Loomis is so physically strong, she won’t allow the person to turn the corner.
Loomis is also a nightmarish matchup for opposing defenses. Few teams have defenders with Loomis’ speed and strength, and that is one reason why so many opponents will likely play a zone defense against Norwich this year. “Girls that are quick enough to guard Bryn are not strong enough, and girls that are strong enough are not quick enough,” Bennett said. “When you talk of players who are pure athletes, other than the girl from Binghamton, Tiahana Mills, there is no one like Bryn.”
Loomis is well on her way to accomplishing every personal goal, and she should have a spot on some college team’s roster next year. Still, one team goal remains for Loomis, Bennett, and the rest of the Tornado, and that is to capture the school’s third-ever sectional title.
“Bryn and the seniors have taken responsibility for the team’s success, and they want to win so badly,” Bennett said. “Bryn is so darn competitive. She is the type of kid that if you beat her once, she has the mindset that it ‘will not happen again.’”
As good as Loomis and the Tornado are playing right now, she may not be beaten again for quite a while.