Four years have gone by for Humboldt Collegiate Institute basketball star Angela Baran.

The Grade 12 student is set to move on to greater heights both in her studies, and basketball, as she will play for Lakeland College next year.

In her last season with the Mohawks, she was able to make it to Hoopla - the high school provincial basketball championships, for the first time.

"I felt the past basketball season went really well. The team really started to pick it up halfway through, where we were starting to really mesh as a team," Baran said. "We were quite a young team, so that was the point that we were starting to bring the skills we practice."

After a strong second half to their season, the Mohawks were ranked fourth in the province in the 3A category, earning them a home regional tournament.

They defeated Assiniboia in the regional final to advance to Hoopla, where they took on the top-seeded Lumsden Angels in the semi-final.

"It was a great experience. Just the energy that is at Hoopla was awesome to be part of. I thought our first game went pretty good. Although we didn't come out with the win, it was a good game. Everyone played good, solid, basketball," Baran noted.

After falling 76-46 to the Angels, the Mohawks met Indian Head in the Bronze medal game.

"Our second game we got a little behind before the half, but we kept persevering through and we made a close game of it. Everyone played with a lot of heart."

Being able to get to Hoopla was an accomplishment in its own right for the Mohawks, with a young team in the fold.

Baran gave insight into how a young player slowly needs to adjust to the high school game.

"It's a lot to take in to be expected to learn new plays, and the commitment. Us older players are definitely expected to make them feel apart of the program," she said. "I remember my first few practices with the team, you're nervous because you're the youngest, but everyone always made you feel welcomed into the program, and the coaches played a big role in that."

The drastic turnaround from December to March for the team was furthered along from the leadership of their Grade 12 players, as well as the coaches.

Head Coach Kerri Archibald has been vital for development, according to Baran.

"We call her Arch. She was there right from the get go. She gave me a lot of opportunities outside the basketball season to get me involved in other levels of basketball. She was always there to help me with technique and questions, anything."

The Mohawks also had expertise from the legendary Kevin Grieman before his tragic passing. Baran stated that she grew quite close to him off the court, living in the same area.

"We will miss him a lot, and that was a hard thing for our team to deal with because he played such a big role in all our skill development. He was a neighbour of mine and he often helped me in the summer, working on things in the game."

Baran's outstanding final season with the Mohawks allowed her to be selected to play in the Basketball Saskatchewan Senior Classic in Saskatoon on April 9.

The province is split for the game, with the North taking on the South.

"It was awesome to play with players of that competitive level. You're always challenged to bring your best. It was great to play one final basketball game."

A close battle saw the South earn a 71-65 win.

As her final year at HCI winds down, Baran's journey will take her to Lloydminster to continue on with basketball.

She noted that it was a long recruiting process with the Rustlers that eventually was completed with an official signing in November.

"I got to go to the school and see what it would be like at Lakeland, and I really liked the atmosphere there," she explained. "I think it will be awesome to take where I am at now and have the opportunity to improve in the next few years."

During her time with the Mohawks, Baran has developed her skills on the court, as well as taking care of the mental game, which can throw you off if you aren't in the right frame of mind.

"You can't quit. You have to keep persevering through it because it can get frustrating," she stated. "It's a process to be able to ultimately put your shot in the hoop. It takes a lot of practice, a lot of time, and you have to stick with it because sometimes you don't always get the playing time you want or things don't quite work out how you want them to. You just got to keep doing it, keep trying, and things will come your way."

The lasting memory for Baran at HCI will be the close relationships built.

"The teachers are there for you in all kind of situations. You feel like a little family there. I will miss that part."

You can hear the full interview below.