Junior guard Journey Bryant, a new Midtown transfer from Luella High School, is expected to play a key role in the Knights’ girls basketball program. Bryant has been described by her coach and teammates as a skilled player and a strong leader, and already has one Division I offer from Jackson State University.
Bryant considered other schools as well, including Sandy Creek and Wesleyan before settling with Midtown. She did not know any of the players before transferring, but quickly adjusted due to the welcoming environment.
“They’re very accepting,” Bryant said. “If I need help, they’re going to help me. They put me into opportunities and made me feel welcome.”
Bryant said the support she received throughout summer practices influenced her decision to come to Midtown.
“I decided to come here because I came to practice with the team during the summer and I liked the team very much,” Bryant said. “My mom works here, so that also helped.”
Head coach Courtney Pope said Bryant’s transfer immediately gave her confidence in the team’s potential this season.
“The moment I heard Journey was coming on board, I felt a surge of optimism,” Pope said. “Journey isn’t just a skilled player, she brings an intangible energy that raises the entire group’s morale.”
Senior center Hailey Wortmann said Bryant’s energy and skill have already positively impacted the team.
“As a person, she’s very enthusiastic, high energy, and good energy,” Wortmann said. “And then as a player, she’s very aggressive, very skilled, and you can just tell that she’s going to contribute a lot.”
Wortmann said that Bryant has helped fill a gap in the team created by last year’s graduates.
“She’s bringing another aspect of a high-level guard that defenders will need to watch out for,” Wortmann said. “It kind of spreads the floor.”
Bryant said she first realized basketball could be more than just a youth sport for her during her freshman year, noting offense as a strength of hers.
“High school is when I realized I wanted to play in college,” Bryant said. “It was more real than middle school. When I get in the mode on offense, it’s way different than anything else.”
Pope said Bryant’s basketball IQ and composure set her apart.
“She always seems to be two steps ahead,” Pope said. “Whether it’s anticipating a turnover, making a perfectly timed run, or setting up a teammate for success, she’s incredibly aware and deliberate with her actions. She’s incredibly coachable and has this humility that makes her a pleasure to coach.”
Bryant said she wants to continue her basketball career at the collegiate level, and she is looking to play Division I basketball.
“I only have one offer right now from Jackson State,” Bryant said. “I’m keeping my options open, but Auburn is definitely one of them I’m interested in.”
Bryant said her goals at Midtown include contributing to a championship run.
“For basketball, I definitely want to go deep into the championship,” Bryant said. “Coming from a school that wasn’t so good, I just want to win here and grow.”
Wortmann believes Bryant’s leadership and Division I status has changed how the team is viewed by opponents.
“She definitely encourages everyone and tries to pick everyone up,” Wormann said. “I think having a player with a D1 offer will definitely change how opponents view our team, especially since no one’s seen her before at Midtown.”
Pope expects Bryant to contribute from many aspects on the court and believes she will step up to be a leader.
“Her presence can elevate the team’s overall performance by filling key gaps and providing consistency,” Pope said. “She could be the piece that pushes us from being good to being great.”
Wortmann is looking forward to what the team can achieve with the addition of Bryant to the roster. The team was 4-AAAA finalist in the 2024 state championship, and is hoping to exceed previous triumphs with the addition of Bryant.
“I’m just excited to win some games,” Wortmann said. “I think she’s going to score a lot of points and be a really fun player to watch. With her, we’ll be a much more well-rounded team, and that will allow us to go deeper into the state run.”
