The Union Titans Girls basketball team of Camas, Washington earned a top seed in the 4A State tournament and they did so under the command of their superstar junior, Brooklyn Haywood. Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, 16-year-old Haywood brings a lot of characteristics needed from a rising superstar. With her dawg mentality as a big asset to her game, Haywood always looks for ways to improve while helping her team win.

At a young age, Haywood fell in love with the game of basketball by often being surrounded by it her whole life. From her dad coaching at Diamond High School in Alaska to watching older players like Alissa Pili growing up, her love for the game started early. Although her game differs from other players she watched growing up, Haywood described herself as “shifty”, and a shooter who can flat-out score. Her mentality paired with her knowledge of when to take over in a game has been beneficial to her development, and Union’s team. When describing how she decides when it’s time for her to take over, Haywood chooses to stay patient, while remembering she is better equipped than her opponents.

“(Taking over) is a mind game. I don’t look for buckets right off the bat, but later in transition because of (my opponent’s) set defense,” she said. “I’m able to recognize when the defense is tired, and I’m in better shape than anybody I play (against), so once I tire out my defender, then I start going.”

Haywood possesses the same instinct as some of her favorite players like Stephen Curry and Paige Bueckers (BECK-ers) and she’s been able to perfect it during her high school career.

“The last three years of being face-guarded and double-teamed constantly helps me get better,” Haywood said. “The experience of having that (instinct) and emulating that in workouts.”

As a player who is highly skilled on both ends of the floor, Haywood recognizes that her game could always improve.

“(I can improve) my midrange and finding gaps of separation (between her defender) and hitting those shots more,” she said. “I do that, but doing it more would help my game improve.”

The Titans program had seen little success before Haywood arrived in 2022. Their first and only appearance in the state tournament was in 2020, where they finished third. Haywood felt gratitude when speaking about her impact with Union, while also accepting her leadership role in doing anything she can to win. 

“I’ve been put in that leadership position so it’s expected from me and I should be (lifting the program),” Haywood said. “Obviously it’s great when you win and you play a big part in that.”

As one of the top players in the state, she has many opportunities to take her game as far as she wants to. However, Haywood didn’t start playing basketball to be a ranking, but rather because of her love for the game.

“I didn’t play basketball to be a top prospect. I play because I love it, so I try to focus on that and control what I can control,” she said. “I can’t control rankings or what happens on social media, so I just focus on playing the game I love and getting better.”

The Titans Girls team's next playoff game is against the Camas Papermakers, who Haywood has a devastating history with. During the summer of her sophomore year, she considered transferring from Union. However, after things never worked out, she returned to Union.  Feeling extra motivated to defeat the Papermakers, she never let her emotions show until the Titans defeated Camas on February 1st.

“I have a (history) with Camas, and I didn’t look for any revenge. I just let it come, and I got my win,” Haywood said. “Beating (Camas) meant a lot because it just showed them you didn’t tear me down or break me.”

Haywood has many offers from Division One schools, earning two from Portland and SMU before her freshman season. With her game growing as fast as her popularity, she has proven her talent and hard work can take her to unspeakable heights.