Marshall University women’s basketball player Tynikki Crook has the ability to bounce back from adversity.
During her freshman season, Crook’s brother was killed. After that season, Crook, junior forward, bounced back to become one of the Herd’s most potent weapons on the court.
“Basketball is like my release valve for personal tragedies,” Crook said. “When you come on the court all you think about is basketball. Everything personal stays off the court.”
Crook doesn’t like to talk about the loss of her brother, and prefers to maintain focus on the upcoming season.
“I think what helps is that all your focus is on what you are doing at that time,” Crook said.
Last season, Crook helped lead the Herd to its second consecutive Conference USA Tournament semifinal. In six postseason games, Crook recorded a double-double in each of them.
The junior’s success last season led her to be named to the All C-USA Third Team and the 2009 C-USA All-Tournament Team.
“Tynikki Crook has never played a March game where she hasn’t scored a double-double,” said Royce Chadwick, Marshall women’s basketball head coach. “She’s been exceptional in big games when it counted the most.”
Crook led the Herd in scoring and rebounds last year, but she said she hopes to improve on her game this year. She averaged 13.5 points per game and 7.6 rebounds per game in her sophomore season.
“I just think this year I’ll be better,” Crook said.
This year Crook is one of three players with the opportunity to get to 1,000 career points scored and Chadwick said he thinks she’ll make it without any problem.
“I think there are only about 16 other players in the history of this program that have had 1,000,” Chadwick said. “She’s going to join an elite group there.”
The Detroit native said she looks forward to getting a chance to face the University of Central Florida in a pair of contests this season. UCF won the C-USA championship last season and Crook said she wants to be tested against the best team in the league.
In the Herd’s exhibition game with West Virginia Wesleyan, Crook showed her renewed focus for this year with 15 points, nine boards and a block.
Crook and the rest of the Herd begin regular season play Friday against Appalachian State.
Adam Russell can be contacted at russell58@marshall.edu.
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