It's going to be a tough twelve weeks.    The heart of the Comets Red perimeter defense is out on injured reserve.     For the first time in her basketball career, Briyana is going to miss the AAU season.

We remember Briyana as a plucky nine year old playing fiercely against 12 year old boys.   The boys routinely knocked her unceremoniously to the floor.   She got up slowly every time, tears streaming down her cheeks.   And then she'd immediately throw herself on the floor after the next loose ball.   At the end of every game she was sure to have five salty white tear streaks down her face, bruised elbows and knees, and just the hint of a Popeye-the-Sailor-man grin.

Why?

Her team invariably won by a point or two.   She didn't like losing.

Since those developmental years, Briyana's AAU team has won the Florida state championship every single year.    They've won the YBOA national championship twice.     They've finished in the Top 10 at AAU Nationals four times.

Briyana's elbows and knees still suffer after every game.    But there are no more tears.   There's no crying in basketball.

As we mentioned earlier, Briyana is the Comets' top perimeter defender.   When the opposing team has an offensive stud on their roster, you can be sure Briyana will be assigned as her defender.     Brea takes no prisoners.    She delights in ripping ballhandlers in open court and taking them to the rack.      The size and speed of the victim doesn't matter to Briyanna.      Point guards and centers are all equal candidates for lockdown.   When her high school team flew to Delaware to compete against Usuline Academy, who was Brea assigned to defend?

Elena Delledonna, a player seven inches taller.

You may have heard of her.

In 2006 Briyana led her high school to a 26-4 record and a berth in the state Final Four.     She averaged 12.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.6 apg and shot 56% from the field.

Brea gave her verbal commitment to the University of Miami in the fall of her junior year.