By Joanna Chadwick
The role that Kinley Christopher needed to take on for Basehor-Linwood was clear from the start of the season – she had to be a leader.
“Since there are no seniors this year, the other juniors and I have been stepping up and taking that role,” she said. “Personally, I have worked on being a leader for the team and improving my skills during the offseason and in season.”
Christopher is averaging 10.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks as a key inside player for Basehor-Linwood.
“She is our inside threat on offense, but she is skilled in all parts of the game of basketball,” coach Jason Tatkenhorst said. “She is as important to us on the defensive side, as well.”
He’s especially pleased with how her game has grown as a junior.
“Her durability and endurance has really improved this year compared to previous years,” Tatkenhorst said. “This has allowed for her to show her skills. She has continued to improve each week of our season, and I look forward to her continued improvement as she is quite a talented basketball player.”
For Christopher, she’s driven by the fact that this is a young team with potential.
“We are improving as much as we can,” she said. “What has been doing really well this year is the team and how close we have been despite the age difference. We have all grown really close and we are winning the games we should be winning and have really close games (against) the competitive teams we are playing.”
Christopher credits her teammates.
“My teammates make me a good player and push me to be the best I can on the court and off the court,” she said.
That’s the kind of response her coach would expect to hear from her.
“I also have to mention the kind of person that she is,” Tatkenhorst said. “She is someone that not only our team can count on if we ever need anything but that is also how she treats everyone in our school.”
