Tyrone has seen its fair share of quality basketball players, but current senior captain Brandon Gripp could arguably be the best player Tyrone has ever seen.

“I just love the game and every year I strive to become a better player,” Gripp stated.

Brandon was the 2012-2013 Mountain League M.V.P. and a top contender for the prize this year.

Gripp believes his team can make a good run in the state playoffs. So does his dad, Tyrone head coach George Gripp, who is 128-61 over his 19 seasons coaching Tyrone.

The team is currently 17-5 this season and opens its playoff run tonight at 7:30 pm in Huntingdon vs. Central.

“Brandon has worked extremely hard in the offseason to make his senior year a special one,” said Coach Gripp, “He is a great teammate and leader for us.”According to Coach Gripp, “this senior group has set lofty goals, and with hard work and dedication, hopefully we can achieve them.”

On Dec. 20, 2013, Gripp scored his 1000th point, a feat that very few Tyrone varsity basketball players have reached.

“I’m honored and I understand how dedicated you have to be to achieve it,” Gripp said, in looking back on this accomplishment.

Gripp said that the game he scored his 1,000 point is his most memorable ever.

“[Brandon] is a phenomenal player who always improves” said Jordan Miller, teammate of Gripp and a fellow senior captain. “Brandon has improved his game tremendously throughout this year and is only getting better and better by the day.”

Tyrone’s only junior starter, Tristan Lingenfelt believes that Gripp is the prime example of a great leader on the basketball court.

“He always takes charge when something is wrong or when he sees something we need to do/fix,” saod Lingenfelt. “[Brandon] doesn’t put people down if they do something wrong.”

“His hard work and dedication to the game is what stands out first and foremost,” said Coach Gripp. “[Brandon] has been involved in AAU basketball since he was in 5th grade. Every summer we are traveling up and down the East Coast playing in every major city you can think of. There is no off season for him. Every day he wakes up he is doing things that will make him a better athlete and of course hours and hours of basketball.”