By Ken Hansard

Carthage High School senior basketball player and student-athlete Jaidyn Brunnert spoke to VYPE SPORTS in a recent interview.

VYPE SPORTS: What are your personal goals for the year?

Brunnert: One of my personal goals is to become a better three-point shooter. My spot tends to be on the left side of the court. The left corner is my favorite spot to shoot, and perfecting that shot will be super crucial this year. I also want to have fun playing a sport I truly love – because of the coach and the best teammates. I would like to beat some of the teams we don’t always come out on top with and show them that our five seniors are here to win this year. 

VYPE SPORTS: What is your favorite athletic memory?

Brunnert: Shooting half-court shots!  Just in case we someday needed to take one in an actual game! 

VYPE SPORTS: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why?

Brunnert: Jillian Brunnert, my cousin, left the biggest impression on me. She made me realize sports are just a game and that they are not my life. It was super cool to have her as one of my coaches this year and seeing her achieve all her dreams. She went on to play college volleyball, and that showed me it is possible for me, too. 

VYPE SPORTS: What is your favorite part of being on this team?

Brunnert: My favorite part about Carthage basketball is the friendships I have made. The other four seniors on the team have grown up with me and made me want to come back and play this sport every year. We have played together since we were really little, and it was important for me to finish my senior year with them. 

VYPE SPORTS: What clubs or campus groups are you involved with and why?

Brunnert: I am involved in volleyball, basketball, track and field, and National Honors Society. These are all important to me because I have grown through every sport – both to to be a better athlete and a better person. I have grown so much since my freshman year, and it definitely shows. NHS was a huge accomplishment for me because it showed me that I can do big things one day, and I should reward myself for that. 

VYPE SPORTS: What accolades (in any sport or activity) are you most proud of?

Brunnert: I have had the most accomplishments in volleyball.  I was named First-Team All-District, and Honorable Mention COC my junior year. My senior year I was named Second-Team All-District and First-Team COC. I have been named Academic All-State all four years in volleyball, and I hope to continue that for basketball and track, as well. I am also in the top 10% for hurdlers. 

VYPE SPORTS: What has your sport taught you that you use in your daily life?

Brunnert: Basketball has taught me how to become a great person. This comes from my amazing coach. He is the one person who can make me laugh each time I see him, and when I do see him, my day becomes a lot better. He is such a great person and would do anything for us girls, and I know I need to keep people like him in my life. 

VYPE SPORTS: What is the best advice that anyone has given you?

Brunnert: The best advice I have received is to believe in myself. This comes from my dad, and even though he is hard on me, he knows I get in my own head sometimes and he taught me that the best way to fix that is to believe in myself and show others my real talents. 

VYPE SPORTS: Who inspires you and why?

Brunnert: The person who inspires me the most, especially about basketball, isn’t here today, but if he was, he would tell me that “Shooters shoot.” He is my Uncle Jack, and even though he passed about two years ago, I honor him every time I step on the court.  He always believed in me and had faith that I could be a great basketball player. He would practice with me each day to make sure I felt comfortable enough to go between the legs or behind the back. He still inspires me today.  He taught me never to give up and to always push through things.  He also taught me that lefties have a special shot, and I need to use it. 

VYPE SPORTS: Here is your chance to give a shoutout or say thank you to anyone you wish.

Brunnert: I just want to thank all my entire family for always supporting me and bringing a huge crowd. I want to thank my parents for always being there when I need them most. I also want to thank my teammates, who I wouldn’t trade for the world, because we always have the best time – and I want to give a special thanks to my other four seniors who have been there with me playing this game since day one. Then lastly, thank you to all of my coaches, and especially coach Moore, who would do anything for me.