Bryanne Francisco brings a lot to the Pen High Lakers senior girls basketball team.
Lakers coach Lesley Lacroix said her captain possesses great ball handling skills, sees the whole floor and knows how to encourage her younger teammates if they are out of place.
“She’s like a quarterback for us,” said Lacroix.
A quality that Francisco possesses and Lacroix loves, is her attitude.
“She’s the most positive athlete I think I’ve ever coached. Never down. If she screws up she gets back, she makes up for it on defence.”
Francisco returned to action from a broken bone in her hand to help the Lakers earn an easy 63-30 home win against the Rutland Voodoo on Tuesday. Lacroix said that Francisco had a strong game scoring eight points and adding five assists.
Missing the start of the season was tough, but Francisco was happy for the when the injury happened as she recovered in time to still make an impact. Admittingly, it was stressful watching, but she said she was also able to learn from the sidelines.
Francisco likes the makeup of their team. She feels they are faster and that they are taking advantage of their speed. With the ability to go on fast breaks they can apply pressure on teams.
“Hopefully getting a lot of turnovers that way,” said Francisco. “I’m excited to use our speed.”
What will be driving Francisco is to qualify for valleys and make some noise so they can compete in provincials. She badly wants to go to provincials and believes in the team.
On a personal side, Lacroix would like to see Francisco improve is her defence and being quicker on her feet. There is always room for improvement offensively to be a bigger threat.
“Not just the assist, the general that is always passing,” said Lacroix. “Working on her three point shot and her drives to the hoop. A little more selfishness wouldn’t hurt.”
Francisco wants to be a better team player and work on her shot. Last season she was hitting three-point shots consistently and wants to continue being a long distance threat.