Miller makes her mark as high school career closes

By Lethbridge Herald on April 11, 2025.

Herald File Photo by Justin Seward Herald FILE photo by JUSTIN SEWARd LCI Clippers Mishynn Miller attempts to get a handle on the ball while battling under the basket with Genna Medhurst of the Catholic Central Cougars during Prairie Sky Conference basketball action earlier this year.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

All-Star LCI basketball and volleyball athlete Mishynn Miller is closing the book on her high school sports career this year knowing that she developed as a player and her leadership characteristics even further.

“It’s just been really fun being able to just thrive in that competitive spirit and just play for my school,” said Miller.

Miller said at the varsity level, you just learn different parts of leadership and different parts of respect.

“Definitely keeping my composure during games and just trying to be a person that my teammates can go to for whatever they need,” said Mishynn , on how she improved as a leader over the last few seasons.”

Mishynn agreed she gained respect from other players in the high school volleyball and basketball circles in her senior years.

“I think so,” said Mishynn.

“But more so like, ‘Oh I can go to her if I need this, or what are tournaments normally like, or what should I be expecting through a season and how can I get better.’”

Miller spoke about the importance of playing high school athletics.

“Just honestly the friendships and the community that’s around it,” said Mishynn.

“I know everyone I know at LCI mainly through sports.”

Miller was a part of the first-ever volleyball provincial championship for the girls volleyball team this season and  had a run with the basketball team that placed fourth in provincials.

“We all kind of knew this was our year to shine because it was our last year and there was a lot of us of in Grade 12,” said Mishynn.

“So being able to execute that in volleyball and almost again in basketball, it was super fun and I wouldn’t have changed the way I played in either sport.”

Her memories include winning volleyball provincials, the road trips in the hotel rooms, team dinners and preparation before games.

“Those are all memories I hold special,” said Mishynn.

Mishynn initially committed to playing university basketball at the University of Calgary in Grade 11, but it was more recently she decided to change and go to the University of Alberta beginning next season.

“The biggest reason for the switch was obviously coaching changes,” said Mishynn.

“But no disrespect or anything to U of C, they’re a great program, I loved all the girls, they’re all super nice, the school’s great. It’s just I wanted to head somewhere with a little bit  more stability in my first year.”

Mishynn’s father Darren has been on the sidelines coaching her in basketball through her junior high and varsity years as well as all the way back in Grade 3.

Darren said she’s been very blessed with very good athletic ability.

“Good hands and good height,” said Darren.

“So she’s definitely been blessed  with the ability to take her game to the next level and she kind of developed that over the high school years.”

What Darren finds interesting about Mishynn is she is the type of player that can fit in with any  groups.

“I know she would have a way to light the fire amongst everybody and push people but in the same breath she was a very caring and compassionate leader as well,” said Darren.

So far on top of winning a volleyball provincial championship, her top accolades include  back-to-back South Zone MVP honours for volleyball, an MVP award for the Prairie Skye Conference this year in basketball and was was named LCI Female Athlete of the Year for  the 2022-2023 year.