Improvement is the standard Braelieh Isbell sets for herself as she begins her high school career with the Poteau softball program. “To keep improving every game and practice,” Isbell said when asked about her personal goals this season, a mindset that has guided her approach early in her freshman year.

That growth-oriented mentality fits well within the team culture at Poteau. “The team morale has been great. We all support each other and have built great friendships,” Isbell said. As the season has progressed, she has noticed one area in particular where the group has taken a step forward. “Communication is getting better,” she said.

For Isbell, the team’s goals are rooted in discipline and effort. “To work hard and stay disciplined,” she said. Her role in helping achieve those goals is straightforward. “I am working to achieve them by always giving full effort,” Isbell said. That buy-in from every player, she believes, is what separates this team. “We play for each other not just ourselves,” she said when describing the team’s biggest strength.

While Isbell’s responsibilities extend beyond any single position, she takes pride in her overall role. “I always work hard on and off the field,” she said. That work ethic shows up during competition, especially when she is facing opposing defenses. “I look where they are positioned and where the gaps are,” Isbell said.

Preparation, for her, is more mental than physical. “Having a positive mindset and staying ready,” Isbell said when asked how she prepares for games that demand constant action. Once she steps onto the field, her focus is clear and consistent. “All glory to God, play hard, and leave everything on the field,” she said.

Isbell already has a strong sense of how she wants to be remembered at Poteau. “I wanted to be remembered as someone who always worked hard and gave 110%,” she said of the legacy she hopes to leave behind. She also believes there is more to this team than what fans might see on game day. “They may not realize how much work we put in and how close we are as a team,” Isbell said.

Music is not a major part of her pregame routine. “I don’t have a hype song I just listen to whatever comes on,” she said. When it comes to memories in a Poteau uniform, one moment stands above the rest. “Winning regionals,” Isbell said.

Braelieh competes exclusively in softball. Looking beyond high school, her goals extend into the classroom. “I plan to go to a university and earn a nursing degree,” Isbell said.