Low-key Hopkins takes Fremd to new heights
For the many accomplishments Fremd's girls basketball team has enjoyed the past few years, there were plenty of moments to celebrate on the basketball court.
But you better not have been looking Bryana Hopkins' way to see all that excitement.
Whether she is making a pivotal jumper in the lane or grabbing a crucial rebound, Hopkins keeps her demeanor pretty much status quo.
And that makes her a perfect selection to captain the Daily Herald's Northwest all-area team.
"She reminds me of Ashley McConnell (Illinois) and Haley Gorecki (Duke)," said coach Dave Yates, referring to past all-area honorary captains from Fremd in this decade. "Both were pretty steady, never having too many highs or lows. And that's so helpful, especially when playing the close, competitive games. It's beneficial to everyone on the team so they don't get too rattled."
Hopkins has proven to be the perfect calming effect for the four-time defending Mid-Suburban League champs.
Winning or losing (which has not been often), she goes about her business to set the example for her teammates.
"She's just like her father was on the floor," said Bryana's mother Kelly, whose husband Bryon played basketball at George Washington University and Corliss High School in Chicago. "He was very calm, cool and collected.
"I'm more the emotional one," added Kelly, also a D-I athlete who played soccer at George Washington after a high school career in New Jersey.
Bryon helped George Washington to its first winning season (1991) in seven years as a top shot-blocker for the Colonials. "My parents have always been my biggest inspirations," said Bryana, the Mid-Suburban League West Player of the Year. "They have both been in the same position that I am in, and the position I have always aspired to be in, which is playing through college."
Hopkins will play for Northwestern next season.
"I am very excited to begin my career at Northwestern," she said. "All of the coaches and girls on the team are awesome and I can't wait to meet the rest of the incoming freshman class. I'm excited to get pushed even harder and play at an even higher level of basketball."
At the high school level, Hopkins has been at the top of her class.
Just like her parents were during their prep days.
"They have experienced the hard work that it takes to make it and succeed, and I really admire that," Bryana said. "They've been through the entire process and their advice is the most valuable advice anyone could give me.
"Without their support and guidance and love, I would not be in the awesome position that I am in today, with all the opportunities I have had and have to come."
Hopkins' first opportunities in sports came on the soccer fields at the age of 4, and Kelly was coach of her teams.
"Other kids would complain because Bryana was bigger than they, yet she was a year younger," Kelly said. "Our kids (Bryana has two younger brothers) really had no choice about playing sports. All of our down time was sports. It's how they grew up."
Hopkins quickly grew up playing basketball after that short introduction to soccer.
"I started playing basketball when I was 5 years old," she said. "Both of my brothers and I only play basketball, and it is a huge part of my entire family's lives."
When she first started watching college basketball, Hopkins looked up to former Naperville Central and Tennessee star Candace Parker, whose dunk at the Dundee-Crown Charger Classic was the first by a female in Illinois high school sports.
"I loved watching her play for the Tennessee," Hopkins said. "She is such a versatile player being so tall and having the ability to handle the ball and drive, but also play in the post.
"I felt like I could relate to her because I played as a point guard and wing until high school, when I started playing more of a wing/post role."
In elementary and middle school, Hopkins would watch high school games.
"I could not wait to be on the floor and I really looked up to all the girls I watched," she said. "It is so awesome that I can now be one of the role models for the younger players. It is such a great feeling knowing that they look up to my teammates and me and that we can set an example for them to follow in their years to come."
Those following Hopkins knows she is primarily interested in team cohesiveness.
"My favorite part is the camaraderie of the team," she said. "I love when we are in a tough game and we are able to work together to execute the game plan and pull out the win.
"I like when everyone is excited after a tough win and the satisfaction we all feel being able to work together toward a common goal."
If there's a common thread in Hopkins' career, it's Yates.
"I am so lucky to have a coach like Mr. Yates," Hopkins said. "He was my coach during AAU as well, so he has been one of my coaches since eighth grade.
"Not everyone is as lucky as the Fremd program to have a coach who is so dedicated and cares so much about the players. Mr. Yates also was a huge help in my entire recruiting process so I am so glad that he has been there through it all."
Yates has arranged for unprecedented trips to Arizona and Florida the last two years. No other MSL girls basketball team has played games outside of Illinois.
"Going to Arizona and Florida were pretty amazing trips," Hopkins said. "Getting to play against different competition that we have never seen before and bond throughout the trips was super fun."
In addition to Yates, Hopkins has spent time under the tutelage of many others.
"I am very grateful to have been pushed by many coaches and trainers throughout my career," she said. "I'm very thankful for those who have helped me along the way: Dennis Kessel, Kyle Kessel, Rod Saffert, Tom Hohenadel, Ralph Gesualdo, Jeff Pagliocca, Kevin Barcal and Matt Miller."
They all have helped Hopkins play a major role in some of the top moments of Fremd girls basketball history, including last year's Class 4A state runner-up trophy.
"Getting to make so many memories over the past three years with my teammates and coaches has been absolutely amazing," Hopkins said. "The friendships and memories will last forever and I could not be more grateful for being a part of such an incredible and successful program.
"Getting second in state last year was amazing. It was just an awesome experience that I got to share with my incredible teammates."
This weekend, she will experience another trip down state with her Fremd teammates for one final time.
And you can bet the calm, cool and collected senior will keep everything in perspective.