Shooting for KU

Senior Albert Briggs looks forward to a future in secondary education

by hugh o’donnell <sports editor>

“Before, I just wanted to be involved,” said senior Albert Briggs, “but now it’s my senior year and I don’t want to miss anything.”

As a member of the track team, STUCO, Dream Team and Harmony, just to name a few of his activities, there isn’t much left for Briggs to miss. However, despite his many activities, he still finds time to be with his family, the most important part of his life.

“I have to prioritize,” Briggs explains. “Family and school always come first.”

His mom and his sister have been the most influential people in his life, he says, because they are strong enough to handle any problem.

She (his mom), just always told me that the only thing I can control is myself. She told me to ‘worry about yourself. Do what’s best for the team, for yourself.’”

As for his basketball career, Briggs is very modest and says he will try out for the team at the University of Kansas, but is doubtful that he will make it.

“He is a very hard worker that leads by example,” said Patrick Cormack, head coach for North’s Varsity team. “His experience on the court also helps him lead.”

Cormack also said he believes that Briggs can continue to play basketball at the college level.

Whether he decides to continue with basketball or not, Briggs plans on attending KU next year. He plans on studying secondary education in order to become a teacher.

“He’s very imaginative and out-going,” says Briggs’ friend, senior Kim Crocket, “and is going to make a good teacher.”

Many of Albert’s friends seem to feel the same way about him. They say there is  just something about him that attracts people to him.

“His smile,” said Briggs’ long time friend, senior Ricky Luangphithak. “It makes people always want to be around him."

He says that he wants to give everyone a chance, and he wants to get to know people. When he tries to explain why people are drawn to him, Briggs said, “I try to have a positive attitude.”

Best Basketball Memory

One year, in the summer at the end of school, a bunch of us went to Minnesota for a basketball tournament. We got out butts kicked the game before this. It was the last game that we were playing, we had gotten beat earlier that day by like 40 points. Devon George, from the Lakers, was there because it was at the high school that he used to go to. So he was watching us,and it was a five-overtime game. We ended up winning by like three points. That was the funnest time that I ever had playing basketball, going to Minnesota with my friends. Not having to bust my butt at practice, just having fun.