Washington Township senior Brooklyn Campbell wouldn’t be opposed to delaying her surgery.
The 6-foot-3 forward/center is scheduled for a Feb. 12 procedure to repair her left knee, which has dislocated three times. But Campbell has held off this long, so she wouldn’t mind waiting another week — or more.
“If we make it past sectionals, I’ll reschedule it,” she said with a smile.
Campbell and the Senators took the first step toward that goal on Wednesday, beating Hammond Academy 71-18 in the opening round of the Class 1A Morgan Township Sectional.
Campbell averages team highs of 10.2 points and 10.2 rebounds for Washington Township (10-9), which will play Porter County Conference rival Tri-Township (9-13) in the sectional semifinals on Friday night.
Campbell has paced the team in rebounding in each of her four seasons, having earned a starting spot as a freshman. But she said she missed “the first third” of her debut season, when the Senators advanced to a semistate, with a dislocated left knee.
Campbell then sat out two weeks as a sophomore after it happened again, and she missed most of the team’s activities last summer after another recurrence.
“My anatomy in my knee, where my patella fits, the grooves are too shallow, so I hyperextend easily, and then it just pops out on me,” she said.
Campbell, who wears a brace on her left knee, has managed to stay on the court this season, which has been a different one for the Senators. Six players — including standout guards Gracie Little, the team’s career scoring leader, and Clair Klinger — graduated last year.
“We did lose about 70% of our points from last year, so I’ve been trying to help make some of that back,” Campbell said. “But our guards have also stepped up a lot. I’ve just been trying to pick it up offensively and just work more defensively this year.”
Washington Township’s Brooklyn Campbell (33) battles for a loose ball during a Class 1A Morgan Township Sectional first-round game against Hammond Academy in Valparaiso on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (Andy Lavalley / Post-Tribune)
Washington Township coach John Gast praised Campbell’s contributions.
“Brooklyn is one of the players where you say you’re not only proud to coach, but you’re just blessed to be around that person every day,” Gast said. “Her personality, her leadership, she doesn’t only lead by example but also holds everybody accountable. She’s a leader not only vocally, but in practice. She actually does those things that she expects of others.
“She definitely makes us a better team. With her graduating, that’s going to be a huge hole to fill. She’s set such a great example for our younger players that they know what to look for because Brooklyn does it.”
Campbell is a team captain along with senior forward Maddie Winchip and junior guard Catie Wellensiek.
“She always hypes us up,” Wellensiek said of Campbell. “She gets very into the game. She brings a lot of energy to the team, especially when it’s a very physical game. She’s very hyped, she’s very energetic and she always comes in clutch when we need it. When we need a rebound or a basket, she does it.”
Campbell said she has “definitely taken on more of a leadership role” this season.
“We go to such a small school, and a lot of us have been friends for many years,” she said. “We’re just a very close-knit group, and we have great relationships with each other. We’re not going to be scared to make those comments to help critique each other and lift everyone up without taking offense to it.”
Washington Township’s Brooklyn Campbell (33) claps during introductions before a Class 1A Morgan Township Sectional first-round game against Hammond Academy in Valparaiso on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (Andy Lavalley / Post-Tribune)
Campbell also played volleyball for Washington Township. She was a thrower for the track and field team last year, but she won’t be able to return to that sport post-surgery.
Campbell, who intends to study business at IU Indianapolis, was named the PCC’s Mental Attitude Award winner, underscoring her all-around abilities.
“That was such an amazing honor for her, but also well-deserved,” Gast said. “I’m so happy for her. It just speaks on the kind of person she is along with the type of player she is. She’s awesome, and I hope she continues to be that way and be successful when she graduates in whatever she chooses to do, whatever path she goes down.
“She already has things going for her, and she’s going to do great.”