Hart makes decision to attend Bryant
Bulldogs finished 18-14 in 2017, advanced to the NEC Championship game
It has been a fast paced week for Thornton Academy Junior Alex Hart as she was invited to Bryant University last Wednesday for an all-day visit – campus tour, individual meetings with the coaching staff including academic advisor and strength/conditioning coach, attended classes with current team members and closed out the day with an athletic scholarship offer. What transpired over the next 5 days was a bit of a whirlwind but a great experience. “Alex absolutely loved the experience – the campus, coaches, only 2.5hrs away…it was a good fit” said her AAU coach and uncle Don Briggs.
Briggs continued, “Alex has been a member of our Firecracker program since 4th grade. While she has exceptional athleticism, her willingness to be a great teammate and do the small things that allow for team success has never been more apparent than playing on our 16U team for the past 2 years. Her individual defense and the problems she creates is a game changer. She gets to the rim, she hits the three, she makes the extra pass all within a team first concept. In fact, she was a starter on last year’s 16U team as a sophomore and is coming off the bench this year. She understands her role and is willing to do whatever she needs to for the team to have success.”
Bryant University plays in the NEC, went 18-14 last year and lost in their conference championship game. Coach Burke has been the head coach for 26 years. In speaking with the Bryant University coaches, they noted that Alex plays on a very talented club team and sometimes kids can get overlooked. They love her competitiveness, great attitude, and a skill set that fits their style of play. The coaches feel they got a good one that may have been under the radar. Alex will take her “official” visit in the fall prior to signing her letter of intent in November.
“Today is a proud day for many reasons” said Briggs. “Brian Clement and I started this program in 2005 with the goal of providing a positive experience for our daughters at that time (Ashley, Allie, and Sarah). It has been a very humbling experience over the past 12 years and the great kids and parents we have had the opportunity to be surrounded by. Alex has a great support system with outstanding teammates and supportive families…her mom Heather and grandparents (Nanny and Pappy)…we all celebrate with Alex today. The fact that I have been able to coach my niece and have a front row seat to her development as a person and player over the years has been amazing. As I am sure she will agree, it hasn’t been easy, I have been tough on her every step of the way. But to see the smile on her face when she made the phone call last night was priceless.”
With Alex’s offer and commitment to Bryant University, she becomes the 18th Firecracker player to be offered a scholarship.