ABOVE: Fairmont's head girls basketball coach Sara Junkermeier (center) takes a moment before a game to honor Brylee Miller (right) who broke the all-time scoring record on February 11 presenting the award was Ashley Alleven-Stensland (left) who held the record before Miller.

FAIRMONT – Cardinals junior guard Brylee Miller has taken the top slot as Fairmont girls basketball’s all-time leading scorer.

Miller surpassed predecessor Ashley Alleven-Stensland’s prior record of 1,307 points during Fairmont’s 73-50 win over Pipestone on Feb. 11. Miller didn’t know that she was about to break the record until the bus ride to Pipestone.

“On the bus ride over, we were just getting ready to turn our phones in because we do that for every away game,” said Miller. “I got a text from my AAU coach and they posted on Twitter saying like with one basket that I’ll be there. And so I didn’t know before that and I didn’t want to know honestly, but then I saw that text and then I found out.”

Miller broke the record on the opening play of that win over Pipestone. The team was ready to take a timeout to congratulate Miller, but her team-first mentality insisted that it could be celebrated later as the Cardinals stayed focused on the game.

“I don’t really like focusing on that,” said Miller. “Cause it could add pressure to some people. I mean, going out and playing basketball is honestly the best thing to do. Making it a team game is kind of the main goal for me, and it was a big game, too. So, I was just kind of wanting to focus on getting the win.”

Miller attributes her success to those she takes the court with, her teammates and coaches. She maintains a competitive edge and a humble demeanor on and off the court.

“It’s a big milestone,” said Miller. “But without my coaches and my community and my teammates, I mean, that’s what makes all this so special. They’re honestly who got me here and I’m super, super thankful for them.”

While Miller finds many ways to score, she is lethal on the fast break which is where she finds a lot of her success.

“My guards up top is who creates a lot of those,” said Miller. “With Kennedy [Becker] and Makayla [Lowry] and Emelia [Klanderud], whoever it is playing those top of the key. I mean, Makayla has definitely had a lot of good dimes down the court and so has Kennedy. So I would say, honestly, it’s an even split, but a lot of them have been great passes and I am very thankful.”

Head coach Sara Junkermier praised the way Miller plays and conducts herself, stating its’ something she has seen ever since Miller joined the team.

“It’s not surprising that she’s broken this record,” said Junkermeier. “She puts in countless hours to make herself better and considering she has another full year of high school left is just an added bonus for her.”

Junkermeier also stated that Miller has a team-first mindset and is not at all concerned with glory or recognition. Miller keeps things about the team and stays focused on getting the win and trying to keep things rolling in the right direction for the team, which was evident again in a home win Monday against Granada-Huntley/Truman/Martin Luther as the Cards moved to 17-7.

Before the game, the Cardinals honored Miller with flowers, a plaque and a heartfelt speech from Junkermeier.