One thing new staff member Brittney Thomas is very familiar with is winning.

Thomas has been a champion on the high school, collegiate and professional levels. One championship with Bolingbrook High School, another with Michigan State and her last one playing overseas professionally in Sweden.

This year she brings her winning ways to the Varsity girls basketball team. Thomas started playing when she was 9-years-old with one of her close friends.

Always having that competitive mentality, she grew to love the game. She attended Bolingbrook High School where she first met Coach Anthony Smith. She assisted her basketball team in becoming state champions. She graduated with a 117-7 record.

“She never settled for just being good,” Smith said, “She wanted to be the best in the classroom and on the court.”

A memorable moment for Thomas in high school was playing against her friends from Whitney Young. She brought the ball up as a point guard with just seconds left. She did a quick in and out move to get past her defender.

“At that point, I knew I had her and once I got to that free throw line, I’m was pulling up,” Thomas said.

With a plan in mind, she made the game winning shot against one of their rival schools.

“That feeling was awesome,” Thomas said.

With much success in high school, Thomas did not stop there. She received a scholarship to play at Michigan State University. College basketball is much more fast paced than high school basketball, she said.

“The one thing you can’t get ready for is how fast the game is,” Thomas said. “The college veterans play at a very high speed.”

Going into college Thomas had dreams to make an impact, leave a mark on the school she played for. By leading her team to success is the way she could do that. Thomas achieved her goal. Michigan State became champions.

“My motivation was my team. They were more than just my teammates; they were my family,” Thomas said.

Thomas was three-year team captain at Michigan State and three-time MVP. She was also the four-time all conference selection and three-time all area pick.

Thomas went on to play overseas in Sweden where she also became a champion along with being the MVP.

“Playing in Sweden was such an amazing experience,” Thomas said, “I think that’s where I averaged the most points.”

Her successful journey was not all smooth sailing. She suffered a torn ACL and a torn Achilles in her career.

“Coming back from an injury was a big challenge that I had to work hard to overcome,” Thomas said, “ I pushed myself past limits I didn’t know I had.”

Reunited with her former coach, Thomas is expected to be an immense help.

“I’m hoping she’ll bring a competitive mind set, commitment and intensity,” Smith said, “That’s what we need to be successful.”