Hopkins Girls Basketball Star Brianna Williams Leads the Top Team in the State

“She understands what it takes and she relishes the opportunity to lead us.”

Brain Cosgriff, the veteran coach of the Hopkins girl’s basketball team cannot say enough good things about his star guard, Brianna Williams.

“Today at practice I told her to take a look at her shoulders because this team, in many way, rides on them," he said.

Williams has played on the varsity since ninth grade and, after this season, will turn her basketball attention to the University of North Dakota, where she has a scholarship waiting to play in Grand forks.

Williams' goal for the Hopkins squad is simple: “to win the state championship.”

Right now, the Royals are ranked number one in the state and are among the best girls team in the country. As of Tuesday morning, one ranking system had Hopkins at No. 4 in the country, while a writers poll has the team at 24 in the country.

She seems to have the DNA to be an excellent athlete. Her father, Jeff, played quarterback at St. Cloud State University and was honorable mention all-conference. Her brother, Marcus, was a star in both football and basketball at Hopkins and now is a starting defensive back for North Dakota State University.

Brianna Williams undoubtedly relishes more than just her leadership role. Her journey to her senior year has not been entirely smooth. The summer between her sophomore and junior year, she tore the ACL in her left knee during an AAU game and missed the first half of the 2009-2010 season.

But this season, she is the leading scorer on the team, averaging just over 11 points a game. She's also second in assists.

“She is a very hard worker in practice and games and very coachable,” Cosgriff adds.

Added Williams: “I believe we have a really good team and can go all the way this year.”

Cosgriff said the injured knee and the many missed games last season were an issue for a lot of college teams who were interested in her.

“I applaud North Dakota for sticking with her and giving her the offer,” he said.

Williams and her teammates face a good Orono team on the road this Saturday before heading into the tough Lake Conference schedule.

“We are really pleased with how well she has come back from the injury and the great year she is having,” Cosgriff said. “If we have a team leader, it’s Brianna.”