BRIMLEY - After running the offense for the Brimley Bays the past three seasons, point guard extraordinaire Travis Lynn will now run plays for the Kirtland Community College Thunderbirds. He accepted a full scholarship to play basketball for the Thunderbirds in Roscommon on Monday, May 29 when he signed his National Junior College Letter of Intent.
Lynn, a six-foot guard, averaged 18.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 4.4 steals per game for the Bays during the 2005-2006 season, helping them to a 16-5 record, and earning himself a selection to the Upper Peninsula Class D First Team. As a junior, he helped lead the Bays to the Regional Finals and was named the Eastern Upper Peninsula Conference's Player of the Year. As a four-sport athlete, Lynn was also named Brimley Area School's Male Athlete of the Year the past two years.
On the court, Lynn possesses the "floor general" mentality that separates the mediocre players from the superb. Throughout his years on the Bays' squad, Lynn impressed fans night in and night out with his uncanny ability to penetrate to the basket and score, his excellent court vision, and as a "shut down" defender. In fact, one could argue that the only major flaw in his game is that he is too unselfish, almost to a fault, as he sometimes opts to pass the ball to try and get his teammates involved when he could easily score himself.
Lynn said he chose KCC over Lake Michigan Community College in Benton Harbor because their high-octane "run and gun" offense is similar to the one he ran for the Bays and because it is closer to his home and family in Brimley. While he was also offered to walk on at Lake Superior State University, Lynn said he wouldn't consider their offer without a scholarship. At KCC, he plans to major in criminal justice, with a minor in sports recreation and hopes to join either the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or the Michigan State Police after school.
"I'm pumped," Lynn said of his opportunity to play ball for the Firebirds. "They play ball the way I'm used to. They're all good athletes and they like to run the floor. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to start right away, but if not, I know I'm still going to get minutes."
As a Firebird, Lynn will have the opportunity to play for Michigan's all-time winningest coach - Glenn Donahue. With more than 800 wins under his belt, Donahue's team averaged over 110 points per game last season. While his team returns four players from last year's squad, Donahue said he knows he will be able to utilize a player of Lynn's caliber.
"He's going to fit right in," Donahue said. "He's a great athlete and his love for the game is unquestionable. I'm excited to have him on my team."
