AHOSKIE – She has been one of the leaders in returning Hertford County High School girls basketball to prominence.

Now, Briante Bond will take her skills on the basketball court and her academic prowess to Virginia State University.

Bond recently inked a pact to attend VSU, where she will red-shirt her freshman season and prepare for play in the 2012-13 academic year.

“I think I will fit in with the program there and what they want to do, “Bond said.

When asked about choosing Virginia State, Bond said she was excited about the opportunity the school offered her to play on the collegiate level.

“I want to play,” she said.

During Bond’s four years at HCHS, she helped lead the team from one of the worst in the Northeastern Coastal Conference to a conference title her junior year. The Lady Bears remained near the top of the conference last season.

While the two-time All-Roanoke-Chowan selection has been stellar, she gave much of the credit to her coach, Justin Frederes.

“I’ve learned techniques, fundamental, everything from Coach Fred,” Bond said. “He’s awesome.”

For his part, the coach said Bond would be an asset to Virginia State.

“I really think Briante will be a tremendous asset,” he said. “She is the perfect teammate. She has loyalty, integrity and she’s tough. She knows how to work hard and to be a good player.”

Frederes said Bond looked at several schools in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and he felt Virginia State was the best fit. Frederes said in addition to the basketball program, the school offers the major Bond was looking for.

In her career at HCHS, Bond was named All-Northeastern Coastal Conference, Most Valuable Player and Player of the Year.

She said one of her fondest memories was when she scored her 1,000 point in high school during her senior year.

Bond became the first HCHS player in Frederes’ two-year tenure to sign a National Letter of Intent. The coach said he believes it is just the beginning.

“This is big for the program,” he said.  “We’re proud of Briante and also looking forward to providing more scholarship opportunities for the young ladies in the future.”