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Bria Holmes shoots against the Las Vegas Aces.
Bria Holmes is poised to begin a new journey, one that is familiar to her in some ways and completely uncharted in others.
The former McDonalds All-American guard who helped lead Hillhouse High School to three consecutive state championships will enter her first WNBA semifinals tournament with the CT Sun beginning this Tuesday at Mohegan Sun Arena.
“It’s all great,” Holmes said during an interview “For my first year back I couldn’t have asked for a better regular season, and I can’t wait to get started with the playoffs.”
Chris Poss Photo
Holmes, a 2012 Hillhouse graduate, sat out the 2018 season after two seasons playing with the Atlanta Dream — the team that chose her 11th overall in the 2016 Round One draft —to have her daughter. who is now out there at CT Sun games cheering her mother on along with family and friends now that Holmes is back in the area.
“I’m so happy to be able to play in my home state with my family and friends watching and my daughter. She is 1year old now. I feel like all she knows is basketball,” Holmes said with a laugh. “She’s at all the practices and home games. She sees me jumping around. It’s great.”
The Sun ended the regular season with a 23 – 11 record and ranked number two in the Eastern conference .
“During the regular season we had to overcome some obstacles, but we are practicing a lot and practice always makes perfect,” Holmes said. “It’s brought us together more going through this journey and by the time Tuesday comes we will definitely be ready. I think we are capable of winning it all.”
Carla Morrison Photo
Holmes celebrates with former Hillhouse championship teammatesin 2016 after being drafted into the WNBA.
Being back in Connecticut and New Haven specifically has made it even more special for Holmes. “I’m so blessed to be here with everyone, my family and my friends and to have them cheering me on at the home games.”
New Haven was also the place where Holmes was celebrated back in May at a ceremony at HIllhouse, where her number was retired.
She reflected on how her time at Hillhouse prepared her for what’s ahead with the Sun.
“It’s always a great experience playing in front of a ton of fans” she said.
“This is going to be a tough five game series, but we have the confidence and drive and heart, and I think we can win it all. I had the same experience with the team at Hillhouse, so I have a good head going in.”
Paul Bass Photo
Bria Holmes greets voters on behalf of then-mayoral candidate Marcus paca in 2017.
“The vibe of the team is really positive, but we’re taking it one day at a time” she said. “We’re very focused. Anything is possible. You have to keep the faith and work hard.”
Holmes offered this same advice about hard work and having faith to the girls who often ask her about playing basketball and working their way towards a career similar to hers.
“Many of them want advice about college and making the transition. I always get a lot of questions, and I am always willing to help and talk to them. I was the same way, and I want to guide them through that too if I can.”
As part of her commitment to helping and guiding these players, Holmes started an AAU girls’ basketball league in Connecticut that will be heading into its third year soon with teams ranging from eighth to eleventh grade.
“One of my goals is to give back to girls’ basketball in Connecticut” she said. “A lot of girls in Connecticut are overlooked, and I want to help change that, to help them get scholarships, get into good schools, and get a good education.”
Games One and Two of the five game series semifinals will be played at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Tuesday, Sept. 17, and Thursday, Sept. 19. Tickets can be found here.
Chris Poss Photo
