BRIDGEPORT – Bridgeport High School senior Hanna Brewer has earned a place in Bulldog history, becoming the seventh girls’ basketball player to reach 1,000 points in her career.
She earned her 1,000th point during the Feb. 4 game against Valley. It was a night of hard-earned triumph for the Bulldogs, who won 45 to 44.
Hanna has played on the team for the four years of her high school career. She recalled the end of last school year’s season when Coach Brittany Hicks told Hanna she was well on track to register 1,000 points. Hanna was eager to begin her senior year in basketball and bear out her coach’s confidence.
“I was working so hard. At our sectional game, I didn’t score a lot and I was upset, but at the beginning of this year I was grinding so hard to get it.”
She went into the Feb. 4 game with a good feeling, knowing her goal was in reach.
“At the beginning of the game, I was just hitting threes right off the bat,” she said. “Going into halftime, I had 13 points, and coming out I only needed nine more. That’s three threes, and I just popped off.”
The season is not over. Following a Feb. 10 game against Frontier, the Bridgeport team is playing a home game against Shadyside Feb. 12. The sectional game is scheduled for Feb. 18.
Hanna’s ambitions are to help her team win more often.
“I am just working to get my teammates the ball and have them score a lot more.”
She learned a love for the sport in third grade. Her mother had been a basketball player and encouraged her.
“When I got into middle school, I just played seventh and eighth grade and I loved it, and then coming into high school I was just going to keep going.”
She especially appreciates the strong camaraderie that has grown among her fellow players in the Bulldogs culture.
“Just being with the team. Being with the girls,” she said. Hanna said the team was in sync during their prior game. “Everyone was putting in their work, everyone was shooting their shots, making their shots.”
Hanna also credits the excellent leadership and the coaching program.
“The coaches work hard. They always push us to do things differently. Each one of us works on different things, our strong suits.”
She encourages up-and-coming basketball players and those considering the sport to give it their all. Hard work pays off.
“Don’t give up. Just keep working hard.”
Now preparing to close out her senior year, she will carry a lifetime of memories from her years at Bridgeport Schools.
“It’s honestly sad because this is my last year ever playing basketball. It’s honestly sad that I’m leaving them and I’m leaving the underclassmen and everything. I’m so close to the girls and it’s just going to be sad to leave them.”
Hanna said she will still be there in the stands, cheering on the team.
For her part, Coach Hicks is always proud to see another of her student athletes buy into the program and earn success.
“It’s a huge accomplishment to see Hanna get her 1000 points. When she entered the program as a freshman, she had a lot of growth that needed to happen for this,” Hicks said. “She put a lot of work in. Her commitment and dedication over the years has truly paid off.”
She is proud of her team and their commitment to the school and each other.
“The girls that are part of the Bridgeport Girls Basketball program are the hardest working, resilient kids in the school. They show up day after day. They battle through the losses, through the wins. They always have a great attitude. They’re great role models and leaders in the school, and it shows on the floor,” she said.
“Just wishing my seniors the best of luck in their future. Congratulations to Hanna, becoming the seventh girls basketball player in school history to hit the 1000 mark. I’m extremely proud of all of them.”
Bridgeport High School Principal Jack Fisher agreed.
“We’re proud of Hanna and her achievement. It’s an achievement that not many have gotten. It’s just a testament to the hard work that she’s put in, not just this year but for years. It’s about dedication, consistency and the hard work she’s put in finally paying off.”
