Coach Brad Sutterer believes the KHS girls’ varsity basketball team has become a bigger threat with the return of a former post player.
Allison Lieb, senior, decided last year she would not play basketball for Kirkwood. She sat down with former coach Ron Sanford, business teacher, and explained she had to focus more on academics.
“I figured since junior year is considered the hardest academic year, I had to spend more time on that than basketball,” Lieb said. “I wanted to keep up my grades.”
Now a senior, Lieb has decided to return to basketball. She impressed at try outs and made varsity after playing her freshman and sophomore years on JV.
“I really missed playing basketball as the year went on,” Lieb said. “I missed being a part of a team. Unlike tennis, there is a group effort, and it is fun to play with a group.”
Although she does not make a huge deal about it, Lieb is the only senior on the varsity team.
“It is weird, but I have gotten used to being the older one of the group,” Lieb said. “The age difference does not matter.”
What does matter, however, is her close relationships with the players.
“I am friends with mostly everyone on the team,” Lieb said. “We are one big team, and we all know each other. That is what matters.”
Bria McWoods, junior, believes Lieb brings things to the table that benefit the playbook.
“We don’t have much size and with her, she really helps out with that,” McWoods said. “It’s good to have her against other teams with height.”
Sutterer, first-year head coach, also believes Lieb is valuable.
“She has a great attitude, works hard and she is a very intelligent lady,” Sutterer said. “We were in need of a post player, and she provides that. We are lucky to have her.”
Lieb considers her height a strength. She believes it brings out intimidation and strengthens her defense, her favorite trait about basketball.
“Since I am a forward, I have to use my height,” Lieb said. “It helps my defense, which I feel I’m best at.”
Not only does Lieb bring talent, McWoods sees Lieb as a close companion.
“We joke around a lot,” McWoods said. “We can tell each other anything. Plus, she makes the team laugh a lot. She definitely brings in the humor.”
Although he wishes he had more senior depth, Sutterer likes what he sees out of Lieb.
“I am still getting to know her, but what I have seen and heard, she is great,” Sutterer said. “She really helps the team with her positive focus.”
From day one, Lieb has set high expectations for herself and the team this year.
“I definitely view state as a huge goal for us this year,” Lieb said. “We want to win districts and go all the way.”