Braylin Brunkhorst has always looked for ways to be better at basketball.

The Centralia senior is in the midst of her final season as a Lady Panther, but she lined up her future by signing with Missouri S&T during a ceremony on Dec. 4 in the Centralia High School gym. Brunkhorst has been an all-state player the past two seasons along with earning multiple all-conference and all-district awards and other honors.

Brunkhorst averaged 19 points, seven rebounds, 2.7 steals and 46 percent shooting as a junior when the Lady Panthers set a season wins record at 28-2. The year before that, Brunkhorst was a big part of the program’s first ever Final Four team. She and the team are looking to accomplish more this season before she studies to become a nurse.

“When I first visited Missouri S&T, the campus was absolutely beautiful and the coaches were so nice,” Brunkhorst said. “I just stepped foot (onto campus), and it felt like I belonged there.”

Head coach Megan Brinkmann has coached Brunkhorst through high school and knows basketball “is really who she is.” She said Brunkhorst has put in “unseen hours” already and is doing more now to be even better. 

“She always wants to work on something to be better,” Brinkmann said. “Her shot has consistently gotten better. Her basketball IQ continues to grow because the ball is going to be in her hands, and she’s got to be able to make good reads and good decisions. 

Brunkhorst said her parents have given her so much support. Her career has involved many miles of travel, not just during the season, but during the summer in the travel leagues. She said she has had “long nights and early mornings” and people like Porter Basketball Academy’s Michael Scott Jr. in the offseason has been with her throughout the process. 

Brunkhorst said her support system has helped keep her confidence up after low points. With a demanding schedule, Brunkhorst said her teammates have also been a big reason why she has made it to college. 

“I’ve played with some of these girls since I was little,” Brunkhorst said. “Having fun together has kept me going. I’m grateful for all those experiences and the people who have helped me.”

While Brunkhorst is already tough to guard, she has tried her best to become an ever bigger threat to opponents. 

“My shooting has improved the most,” Brunkhorst said. “My 3-point shot, I’ve really been working on that this offseason to hopefully keep growing that part of my game. It’s definitely been a lot better.”

Brinkmann said she expects to see a better Brunkhorst this season and in college.

“It’s funny looking back now to freshman pictures to senior pictures of how you just grow and develop,” Brinkmann said. “That maturity helps you in the game of basketball as well.”