Senior Justin Brannen Ready to Lead Yellowjackets to State Title . By : Ryan Fletcher
The Bay Yellowjackets put together another great season winning the 2A-3 Conference title a year ago . Justin Brannen led the way as he had a breakout season . Brannen and the Yellowjackets were eventually ousted in the elite eight of the state tournament . In his senior season , Justin looks to have his best year yet while propelling the Jackets to Hot Springs for the first time since 2016 .
During the 2022-2023 season , Brannen went from being a solid all-conference player to one of the top players in class 2A . Justin was awarded with the Sean Tillery Conference Most Valuable Player Award . It was a great feat for the junior who has a chance to win the award again . “ It was definitely an accomplishment to see all my hard work pay off , and I would definitely love to win it again . That ’ s something that hasn ’ t been done much .” Brannen ’ s development from his sophomore to junior year was a spectacular sight to see . He attributes his progression to increased work ethic . “ I ’ ve always worked hard but these past couple years I ’ ve bought in more than I have before . When you see it paying off it makes you want to keep going .” Typically , the team that has the conference MVP is also the team that wins the conference . Therefore , that ’ s just added motivation for Brannen to keep not only the MVP trophy at Bay while hoisting the 2A-3 Conference trophy as well . Of course , Brannen understands that will not be an easy feat as the conference is one of the toughest and most competitive in the state . “ I think we definitely have one of the toughest conferences there is . It just makes it that much more enjoyable . Competing every night is not something every team gets to do .”
“ Justin makes me proud ! He is a winner ! To me winners are not just people who win all the time but people who lose and use it to get better . People who don ’ t get their way but find a way . People who just say no more I will just do it . Winners are successful in life not just on the court , and I can ’ t wait to watch him do life and rock it . I love coaching him ! But more than that , I love having the best seat in the house to watch him play . And , last but not least , I love celebrating with him after big shots and big wins . It ’ s just special .” – Brad Brannen