Sure starter

Bok coach Greg Frangipani knew he had a big void to fill this season. When freshman Chinita Jordan transferred to University City during the summer, the Wildkittens had to replace her in the lineup.

But just how would they replace the 13 points and 10 rebounds that Jordan chipped in?

Bok’s "Answer" was another freshman — 6-foot forward Gloria Brown (who, coincidentally, is a big Allen Iverson fan). Thanks in part to her efforts, the Wildkittens entered the week leading the Bronze Division race with an 8-0 mark and an overall record of 11-2.

If the 14-year-old is experiencing any varsity rookie jitters, she is not showing it with her 18 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks a game. Brown showed up Audenried in Friday’s 48-37 win by tallying 16 points, 17 rebounds and seven blocks. Brown, of 18th and McKean streets, spent the fourth quarter beaming from the bench.

"I think she has just got natural ability," Frangipani said. "I don’t think she even knows how good she can be."

Indeed, Brown isn’t letting her dominating performances go to her head.

"I am playing all right," she said while warming up for Friday’s game.

Eighteen points and 10 rebounds a game is just all right?

"I don’t know what to say," responded the soft-spoken athlete.

Brown played for Bok’s volleyball team in the fall, and word got around that the athlete was full of potential.

"The first day [of practice], I could tell that she could play," Frangipani said. "You could tell that she has been playing since she was young."

Brown played at Vare Middle School, 24th Street and Snyder Avenue, and joined in summer pickup games at nearby Smith Playground.

"I would play all day if I could," said the athlete, who tallied 25 points in Monday’s 46-33 win over Olney.

When the Wildkittens step on the floor, Brown shows no fear. She stands under the basket, fights for every rebound, challenges the shots by the opposing team and dives after loose balls. Smaller squads like Audenried struggle to gain any offensive momentum when Brown, 6-foot senior forward Jasmina McCullers and 5-foot-10 freshman Davita Austin, a guard-forward, team up on the court.

Audenried senior Jamillah Mason, who averages a team-high 18 points a game, scored 17 of her game-high 23 points when Brown was on the bench.

"I tried to take advantage because the big girls were out, so they were small down low," said Mason, who lives in the Tasker Homes complex. "They kept blocking my shot. I couldn’t do nothing, they’re big."

Bok’s big lineup was the key to building a comfortable 41-18 lead after three quarters. Audenried made the game a little closer in the fourth by outscoring the Wildkittens 19-8, but Bok stayed undefeated in league play.

The system is working so well that players are talking about making the postseason for the first time since 1998, when the Wildkittens won the Bronze Division title. Wednesday’s regular-season finale against Masterman — who entered the week with one league loss — will be the clincher. Only the top two Bronze Division teams make the playoff cut.

"It’s good to be back in the hunt," Frangipani said.

With Brown only at the start of her high-school career, this could be just the beginning of a good run for Bok. Looking ahead, the athlete said she would like to play basketball in college, but hasn’t started thinking about the possibilities. Brown is more concerned with the present, and credits her coach and teammates for helping her adjust to the varsity competition.

"My teammates like to throw me the ball," she said. "They know I try to do what I can do."

Outsiders are starting to take notice, too.

"When we played up at Roxborough, the coach pulled her over to the side and said, ‘Can you come over and show my boys how to shoot?’" Frangipani said.

Best of all, Brown is having the time of her life, always smiling and laughing on the court and going head-on against more experienced juniors and seniors.

"She has got that personality that nothing bothers her, either," the coach said. "She laughs and has the same expression on her face the whole time. I’ve only seen her get upset, I think, one time when somebody tried to block a shot and hit her in the face and she got mad."

Frangipani feels fortunate that the young standout is playing on his team.

"She has put us over the edge," the coach said. "She is probably the best player in the league."