Eighth grader Brianna Byars’ future is looking bright as a Cardinal.

She transferred from Bourbon County in second grade to Paris and left Paris to go to Campbell Jr. High after her dad, Juan Byars, took over as head coach for RDC girls basketball.

She has played basketball since first grade.

Her favorite players are Breanna Stewart of the Seattle Storm and Elena Della Donne of the Washington Mystics.

UConn is her favorite college basketball team and the Seattle Storm is her favorite WNBA team.

Byars said she has always loved the social aspect of basketball.

“I have always met new people through it,” she said. “I get to travel and do different things. I also get to see all kinds of different competition which gives me a better idea on things I need to improve on.”

Byars had two specific parts of the game that she is going to focus on as she transitions into a high school basketball player next year.

“I have got to work on free throws and shooting,” she said. “I want to be more consistent with those and I want to feel like every time I shoot it I know it is going in.”

Byars admits it can be difficult playing for her dad sometimes, but she would not want anyone else to teach her the game of basketball.

“It can be difficult at times,” she said. “I enjoy it overall though. I like to hear things from him instead of random voices. It can also be vice versa too.”

Byars said she feels like she left behind some close friends at Paris, but realizes everything happens for a reason and is determined to make the most of her time in Clark County.

“It was hard leaving my friends,” she said. “I do miss them, but there is not really anything I can do about it. The good thing is I can make new friends easily through the game of basketball. Basketball is not only a sport. It helps connect people and build friendships.”

Juan Byars said it is truly a blessing to coach his kids.

“It is really something special,” he said. “I have now coached all my kids in some form. You get a chance to see how they grow from game to game. We have a good support transition system from my wife. We usually let the basketball stuff go as soon as we leave the gym. We talk about school or whatever the case may be. They ask me questions, watch film and games with me. They are constantly picking my brain and asking me questions on how they can get better. We have access to several gyms, so that is what we go and do.”