Lady Grizzlies duo signs with Northern Arkansas

Two Gans Lady Grizzlies will be together for at least two more years, although playing different college sports.

Gans senior Brianna Burris signed a softball letter of intent, while teammate Melania Paniagua signed a basketball letter of intent — both with Northern Arkansas College, located in Harrison, Ark., during Monday morning’s signing ceremony at Bryant “Big Country” Reeves Fieldhouse.

Both ladies are glad to get to stay together for a while longer.

“It’s a relief just to have somebody there I know and not be by yourself all the time,” Burris said about Paniagua coming to the same two-year school.

“It’s a lot better,” Paniagua said about Burris coming to the same junior college. “I feel I won’t be as nervous. She is going to be in some of the classes I have. It will just be really comfortable just having her there.”

The big reason Burris chose Northern Arkansas was because of its size.

“It’s a smaller school, and that’s what I was looking for,” she said.

“She’s a great person,” Northern Arkansas softball coach Seychelle Mahoney said about Burris. “She comes from a great family. Her softball skills are definitely something we’re looking for. She possesses a lot of energy and leadership. She’s just played a lot of softball, so she’s going to have a lot of experience right off the top. I’m anxious to get her.”

Burris is happy that she not only gets to continue playing her favorite sport, but do so at the next level.

“Softball is my favorite (sport),” Burris said. “I’m very excited (to play in college). It’s always been a dream of mine.”

Burris does believe she can make contributions to the Lady Pioneers softball program once she arrives in Harrison.

“I feel very confident about it (making contributions upon arrival),” Burris said.

“It will be a large squad of freshmen that will be coming in,” Mahoney said. “It’s going to be one of the largest we’ve had in (school) history. It’s definitely going to be highly competitive. She’ll have to work like everyone else. If she puts the work in, she’ll be just fine.”

As for Paniagua, when Northern Arkansas Lady Pioneers basketball coach Bobby Howard showed interest in her, that was pretty much all it took for the Lady Grizzly senior to want to sign with Howard’s team — as well as being a small institution.

“The coach (Howard) showed interest in me, and I really appreciated that,” Paniagua said. “It’s a small school, which I’m used to. So, it didn’t feel like anything new to me. I felt really comfortable.”

Paniagua is glad to get to continue playing her favorite sport at the collegiate level.

“It’s really exciting, but also nerve-wracking,” she said. “I’ve loved this sport my whole life, and I’m glad that I can further my career.”

Paniagua is confident that she can make contributions once she arrives at Northern Arkansas College.

“I’ll have the opportunity (to make contributions), and I’m ready to show the coach (Howard) everything I’ve got,” Paniagua said.

Monday morning’s signing ceremony was a big one for Gans High School.

“They worked really hard all season,” said Gans coach Laney James, who coached both Burris and Paniagua in softball and basketball. “I’m extremely proud of them. It’s been a while since we’ve had an (athletic) signing here in Gans. For them just to come out and have this opportunity, I know they’re excited, and I’m excited to go watch them play.”

James wholeheartedly believes her Gans Lady Grizzlies duo will do just as well at Northern Arkansas College as the twosome has done for her.

“I’m excited for their journey,” James said. “It’s going to be sad for them to leave here, but I’m real excited for their future, and what they’ll be able to do. They’re great kids and great leaders, and they’re excited as well. That’s all I want for the two of them.”