By Paige Smith

The last two months at the Kerr Fitness Center have had history go down for the Men’s and Women’s basketball programs.

Senior Jazmine Dunn and Junior Bryce Epps have eclipsed 1,000 points, while both becoming the 19th player in their programs to do so.

The 1,000 point for Dunn came against Carnegie Mellon back in late December on a first quarter buzzer beater shot. In this game, Dunn played for 39 minutes and scored 16 points all together.

Photo by Raymond Durkin

Jazmine Dunn dribbling down the court.

Epps scored his 1,000 point in early January against Hilbert, while also delivering the first conference loss to Hilbert. Bryce saw the court for 29 minutes and dropped 15 points.

“I didn’t want to get too into my head about you know what was on the line going into that game because I felt that it would throw me off,” Dunn explained. She knew that she had to treat this like any other game, showing up and out for her teammates.

On the other hand, walking into the Hilbert game was much different for Epps. With not much on his mind other than getting the W, Epps explains “I was only 8 away so I knew I was going to get it. Just play the game and it’ll happen when it happens.”

Leadership goes beyond the scoreboard for both basketball players.

Having four years under Jazmine’s belt and being a senior she explains leadership as,“Being someone who they know they can lean on, they know they can come and talk to no matter the situation.” She wants her players to know that they can rely on her no matter what because she will be there for them.

Epps, having one more year left on the court, shows his leadership in many ways. “My favorite part of being in a leadership position is the relationships that I have with all my teammates because that is the stuff that lasts a lifetime beyond the court,” he stated.

Photo by Morgan Smith

Bryce Epps changing direction against a defender.

“Doing your best to lead by example through your effort, energy and consistency and at the same time, it’s about helping your teammates grow whether that is through encouragement or accountability,” Epps continued. Inspiring his teammates and seeing his hard work through them by encouragement and accountability means he has done his job right.

Now with both teams about to enter the AMCC tournament, Dunn and Epps are not done yet, knowing there’s some unfinished business to handle.

For Dunn and the Women’s team, this unfinished business is pretty personal because of so many people doubting them. “Having a new coach and losing a ton of players, so many thought we

wouldn’t be in the position we are in right now, and that is a spark not only to me, but to my teammates as well,” Jazmine emphasised.

This brought the Women’s team into the season with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove.

Coming out on top.

The Men’s team, being the 2023 and 2024 AMCC champs, are seeking back the title in 2026. To get the outcome they want, Epps explains that, “It’ll take one day at a time, one rep at a time, and one practice at a time.”

Both Dunn and Epps have seen a dramatic change in themselves not only as a person but also a player on the court.

Jazmine Dunn, a senior, said “I think freshman year me is different because I wasn’t as confident in myself then as I am now.” She continued, “It took a lot for me throughout my college years to get to the player and even the person I am today, and I know that freshman year me would be very proud.”

Bryce Epps, a junior, has also stated that his mindset from freshman year is what sets this year apart. “The way I approach the game, the work I am putting in when no one is watching, the confidence to be able to let it all show on the court,” Epps continued.

“Some improvements I am working on for my senior year would be to continue developing my skillset, develop better leadership qualities and just continuing to develop the mental skills necessary to be a high level basketball player,” Epps finished.

Leaving a lasting legacy is something that all athletes want to accomplish during their time. Dunn and Epps have been doing just that.

In her last year of collegiate basketball, Dunn explains that basketball is just a part of your story and that she wants the underclassmen to see the dedication and leadership she provided. She wants to be remembered for the type of person and player that she was.

“Be able to create a cycle that so many different people can carry on,” Jazmine Dunn concluded.

Three years down and one more to go, Bryce Epps has his own unique approach to how he wants to be remembered. On the days he felt like he had nothing left to give, he still gave everyday his all, with his mindset focused on the outcome.

“I want people to remember that I showed up every single day – through the good, the bad, and the ugly,” Epps starts. “I want them to remember the sacrifices I made to get better and how I consistently prioritized the work above everything,” Bryce Epps concluded.

Both the Men’s and Women’s teams are fighting to keep a strong record for entering the AMCC tournament around the corner.

With both teams playing on 2/14 at the Kerr Fitness center as their last home games of the season until playoffs. Support your Redhawks!