By Nolan Weinmaster

Caronport High School star athlete, Brittany Larson, will be on the same campus in the fall, but she will be wearing a different uniform.

The speedy guard has signed with the Briercrest women’s basketball team for the 2011-12 season.

Larson, who grew up in Birch Hills, SK, has played basketball since Grade 4. She played her first two seasons of high school basketball in Birch Hills, before moving to Caronport, where she suited up for the Cougars for her Grade 11 and 12 seasons. She also played club basketball in Moose Jaw for her Grade 11 year.

She has had a lot of individual success during her high school career, including being named Female Athlete of the Year at Birch Hills School for three straight years, starting in Grade 8. Larson was also awarded Female Athlete of the Year at CHS last year and was MVP of the senior girls basketball team.

The greatest team success she experienced was this year, however, and that is why her most recent season is the most memorable for Larson.

“Grade 12 was a very successful year and by far the best!” she said. “We won four tournaments, regionals, and ended with a bronze at Hoopla. The Hoopla weekend was by the far the best experience I have ever had in basketball. I have also enjoyed every moment with my team and have made so many good relationships!”

Continuing to make great relationships is part of what attracted Larson to stay in Caronport and experience Briercrest College this fall.

“I plan on going into the education program—majoring in phys ed,” Larson said. “I look forward to learning about the Bible, playing basketball, and meeting lots of new people at Briercrest.”

Larson is also following in the steps of her older brother—Keegan played for the Briercrest Clipper men’s basketball team for the 2006 – 2008 seasons.

Stan Peters was Brittany’s coach for the past two seasons. He sees great things ahead for her at the college level.

“Brittany was a coach’s dream to coach,” Peters said. “She has a fantastic attitude and work ethic, she is sound fundamentally and she is a learner – always wants to know what she needs to work on and what she needs to do to get better. I am thrilled that she has the opportunity to play college basketball at Briercrest – she is a leader through serving and will be a great asset to the team.”

Briercrest women’s basketball head coach, Chad Romanuk, agrees.

“Watching Brittany play her high school career at Caronport has given me an opportunity to see her work ethic, not only in games but also in practice,” Romanuk said. “She is the type of player that I know wants to get better, and will do whatever you ask of her to improve her game and to help her team. She is very coachable and a great leader, one that genuinely cares for her teammates. I am excited to have her on the team and watch her lead by example in the way she practices.”