Lakewood Ranch senior trio won't dazzle you; they'll just beat you
LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Elise Spiller, Kailyn Scully and Kyra Klarkowski have shown you don't have to be a prolific scorer or flamboyant to be an effective girls basketball player.
In fact, the Lakewood Ranch trio has been more than just effective, which is a reason the Mustangs will be making their inaugural appearance in the state final four Friday in Lakeland.
"They are the glue that holds this team together," Lakewood Ranch head coach Tina Hadley said about her three seniors.
Spiller and Scully have started since they were freshmen. Klarkowski started three years; she sat out her sophomore season. She has signed to play softball for Central Florida, but wasn't going to miss this season.
"Going to state means a lot because we are all so close, and we want to get it for coach Tina. We've been playing for her for a long time and she has boosted our confidence," Klarkowski said.
The girls have been with Hadley since sixth grade when they played on one of her travel teams. It cre
ated a bond and gives them a distinct advantage on the court.
"We know how to push each other and how far each person can be pushed and what the other is going to do on the court,' Scully said. "Coach Tina has been an inspiration to all of us. She has taken each player under her wing and been like a second mother."
Playing together in elementary and middle school and realizing success at each level paid dividends when the girls got to high school and went 13-9 their freshman year.
"In sixth grade, I was a small, skinny kid. In seventh grade, our travel ball team went to the nationals and I have been with the same girls forever," Scully said.
All the girls play the wing and take turns playing the two guard and three spot though Scully is considered the point guard.
"Kailyn is a good, steady player between her decision making and ball handling and passing ability. She is solid player, not outstanding in any area," Hadley said.
The best thing about this trio is no one is concerned about scoring points. Scully is the highest scorer averaging 10 points per game. Spiller averages 8.3 points per game, and Klarkowski averages 8 points.
Despite playing on the wing, all three are active on the boards. Klarkowski averages 4.5 rebounds, Scully 4.4 and Spiller 3.4 per game. The motto for the girls is that you can't win without the ball and you can't score without the ball.
The girls rank No. 1, 2 and 3 on the team in assists. Scully leads the way with 74, Spiller has 69 and Klarkowski 54. Scully is first in steals with a 104, Spiller is second with 71 and Klarkowski is fifth with 50.
"Scoring isn't the thing for me," Spiller said. "Points matter, but at the end of the day I like it more if I got a big game assist, or game winning rebound or hit the game winning free throws. I am into all aspects of the game."
Klarkowski's numbers don't jump out at you, but her effort does, according to Hadley.
"She gives 110 percent effort," the coach said.
Klarkowski put her softball skill set on hold because this was a basketball season she didn't want to miss and she epitomizes the importance of rebounding that Hadley preaches.
"I couldn't live with myself if I didn't play basketball this season. If didn't come out I would've regretted it," Klarkowski said. "Rebounding is all about effort that is all you can say. It's about wanting the ball. All our coaches instill the energy in us that we need to get the ball."
Alan Dell, Herald sports writer, can be reached at 941-745-7056. Follow him on Twitter @ADellSports.
This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Lakewood Ranch senior trio won't dazzle you; they'll just beat you ."