Everyone's role on the basketball team is different; whether that's playing on C-squad or varsity, each player brings something special to the court. For 8th grader Braidyn Burnett, her role was more unique than others.

At the start of the season Burnett was on C-squad for the Lady Rangers, then she swung to junior varsity, and began to just play JV. Not expecting to play any varsity minutes this season, Burnett found herself with a varsity jersey, on the court competing with older, stronger athletes,and playing with different teammates.

Burnett was pulled up onto varsity with one goal; “For my first varsity game the only thing that was going through my mind was to stay on #10 against Laurel and not let her score,” she said. Senior Chase Vermillion was excited for Burnett to play up and said “She’s very athletic and she has confidence, she also tries her best” The first time playing the Lady Locomotives they fell short by eight points.This game was important for the team to be in better standings to make it to divisionals. The Lady Rangers ended up losing that game 56-40, but not without a hard fight.

Burnett was able to keep her varsity jersey and continued to play between JV and varsity the rest of the year. When the Lady Rangers played Billings Central at home, she scored six points. Baidyn looks up to the seniors, specifically post Vermillion. “My favorite moment on varsity is scoring my first point assisted by Chase,” said Burnett. Vermillion remembers feeling “surprised because she drove on Kam Reinker, who is one of the best players in the state.” Burnett is “going to be a big piece of the team for the next few years and I think she will be one of the best players in the state by the time she’s a senior,” said senior Vermillion. It seems that Burnett has a big bright future ahead of her!