Niles’ Jazmin Brann is off to the best start of her career.

The senior post player has helped the Vikings open the year with two victories in three games, including back-to-back wins over Dowagiac and Portage Northern.

Brann was also the leading scorer in Niles’ season-opening loss to Edwardsburg.

Brann has been one of the Vikings’ top players each of the last two seasons, but has been playing with more aggression this season.

That paired with the return of senior point guard Elyse Zimmerman from injury has Niles heading in the right direction as the season heads into its third week.

Niles coach Phil D’Amico expected Brann to pick up her game for her final year.

“She is one of the best athletes I have been around,” D’Amico said. “What you don’t see, is in practice it is always full motor from the time practice starts until the time it ends. Same with in the game. It is just one speed and that is full speed.

“She is one of our go-to people that is for sure.”

D’Amico said that Brann knows that she has to be a leader on this team as a senior.

“She leads from the bench, she leads from the court and she is going to have a special year for us that is for sure.”

Brann scored 13 points against Edwardsburg despite having to battle foul trouble.

Against Dowagiac, she scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while last Friday night, she finished with 13 points and six rebounds as the Vikings defeated the Huskies 57-38 to square their SMAC West Division record at 1-1.

Brann made it a point to come into her senior year with a more aggressive attitude.

“I knew I had to pick it up,” she said following the Dowagiac victory. “I am a senior. I have to lead and set an example for my teammates.”

Brann said that just being with her teammates is going to make this season fun. She also enjoyed having Zimmerman back after missing the first two games.

“We have fun at practice,” she said. “It was fun to get a win tonight. It is important to have Elyse back because she looks down into the post for me. And I can kick it right back out to her for a shot. We have a great chemistry.

“I feel like she brings an edge and a certain confidence that we all feed off of.”

The Vikings were back on the court Monday night as they traveled to Mishawaka to face Marian in a non-conference contest.

Niles (2-2, 1-1 West) will wrap up the 2015 portion of its schedule tonight when it hosts Kalamazoo Loy Norrix at 7 p.m.