LOS ANGELES -- She came so close. From standing in the rain at Gillette Stadium back in August as one of 12,000 `` American Idol'' hopefuls, to the top 16 contestants in the fierce national competition, but that is where the `` Idol'' story ends for 17-year-old Wrentham native Ayla Brown. (View photos by Sun Chronicle photographer Mark Stockwell in the photo gallery.)

Brown got the news at the end of the suspenseful episode Thursday night that her quest for stardom was over, at least on the `` Idol'' stage.

Obviously distraught, Brown choked back tears when trying to talk about a passion for music that rivals her love of basketball.

Later, in an interview with The Sun Chronicle, Brown said she was better able to put the whole experience in perspective.

`` My first thought was failure,'' she said. `` But now as I've settled down and let it marinate, it's more of an accomplishment feeling, more of a proud feeling, just being able to be here tonight.''

Initially disappointed, Brown said she hopes other opportunities will come. `` I've had an incredible experience so far, and I don't want it to end,'' she said. `` But I know I've learned so much just by being here.''

Earlier, on the stage, it was clear others thought she still had plenty to give.

The crowd gave her a standing ovation and the judges all had positive parting words.

`` You've got a winning spirit. It's just the beginning,'' Randy Jackson said.

Paula Abdul also had encouraging last words.

`` You're a winner in everything you do. Keep going for your dream,'' she said.

And even Simon Cowell, whose comments about Brown bordered on the sarcastic at times, was sensitive in his choice of final words.

`` Hold your head up. You're a winner,'' he said, adding it was Brown's choice of a song -- not her -- that got her eliminated.

That song was `` Unwritten,'' by Natasha Bedingfield, which she sang again as her final contribution to a show that had brought her out of virtual obscurity, at least on the national level, and onto new levels of recognition that will likely follow her wherever she goes. At the moment, that's Boston College to play basketball on a full scholarship next fall.

She was obviously still emotional during the performance, struggling to remain composed during portions of the song.

Brown's father, state Sen. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham, was on hand to support his daughter after the show.

`` All I can say right now is it was a wonderful experience, a great way to end her senior year, and she's looking forward to getting back home and spending time with her friends and her sister,'' he said. `` We're very proud of the way she represented our area with poise and grace. I'm glad I was here to be here for her, regardless of the outcome.''

Brown's parents have been trading off supporting roles in Hollywood.

Brown's mother, WCVB-TV news personality Gail Huff, was on the East Coast Thursday night.

After the show, Brown and her father went to a lavish after-party for the show's Top 12 contestants at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood.

If the location sounds extravagant, it is.

The glass palace on Melrose Avenue is a designated Los Angeles landmark.

But instead of preparing for next week's performance, Brown will be filling out TV release paperwork and booking travel arrangements for a final flight home.