Fairbanks and Leutz set to sign on with Albion College basketball team
By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Napoleon — High school teammates for four seasons on the hardwood, Brittany Leutz and Mackenzie Fairbanks helped guide the Napoleon girls basketball program to new heights.
Now, the long-time friends are going from Pirates to Britons, but teammates all over again.
On Friday, Leutz and Fairbanks will officially seal their college commitment, signing on to play at Albion College.
Fairbanks is actually signing to play basketball and softball.
“Very excited,” she said. “I’m glad I get to continue to play both sports. Playing in college has always been a goal, but I always thought it would just be softball. But the more I played basketball, it became No. 1 for me.”
“This is pretty cool,” Leutz said. “I’ve loved basketball my whole life. To have four more years is something a lot of people don’t get.”
Fairbanks and Leutz helped guide the Pirates to a 24-1 record this season, ending in the Class C regional final.
They had played together since fifth grade, but the loss in March more or less signaled the end of that teammate streak.
But both said they toured Albion, felt at home on the campus and welcomed into the basketball program.
“Plus, it’s far enough from home, but not too far,” Leutz said. “It just felt like home for me.”
Leutz said she’s planning on studying pre-law.
Fairbanks said she leaped at the opportunity to play basketball and softball.
She plans on studying Biology and pre-med.
The two plan on rooming together, as well.
“She’s my best friend, so this opportunity is pretty awesome,” Leutz said. “We get four more years as teammates.”
“The goal now is to go out and make an impact,” Fairbanks said. “I don’t need to be the best, or standout or anything. It’s about just helping the team.”
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’
Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.
