NATCHEZ — Trinity Episcopal Day School junior Hunter Yarbrough rediscovered his love for basketball.

After sitting out last season, Yarbrough is suiting back up for the Saints this season.

“I got back into it and realized how much I missed it,” he said. “I didn’t really come to realize it until the first time I stepped onto the court in our first game. That adrenaline rush brought back all the good memories.”

One thing Yarbrough hasn’t missed, though, is school, where he boasts a 3.4 grade point average.

“I just started thinking about my future and how important it is to get into a good college,” Yarbrough said of what motivates him to do well in school. “You always have to look forward and do things that will benefit you in the future.”

A chemistry buff, Yarbrough said the subject is one dear to him.

“I just love the science behind it,” he said. “I love learning about elements and how protons, electrons and atoms work. It is all interesting to me.”

Trinity head basketball coach Chris Bunio said Yarbrough is a player he can always count on to take care of his business in school.

“He’s a lead by example kid,” Bunio said. “He’s a very reliable, responsible and accountable kid. He does all the right things.”

Yarbrough is also doing the right things on the basketball court, where he is beginning to see his playing time increase.

“We’ve only had one practice and a game, but he got in a good bit, and you can tell with his body language and motions that he was fired up to be in there,” Bunio said.

Yarbrough also has college on his mind, with a few places already sticking out.

“I’m leaning towards Louisiana Tech, Texas Tech and Georgia Tech right now,” he said. “I’ll definitely be doing petroleum or chemical engineering and I’m trying to find a college that I’ll get the most out of.”

But first, Yarbrough plans to end high school on a high note.

“I’m hoping to succeed in both school and basketball,” he said. “My main goal is to have a 4.0 GPA before I graduate.”