Mount View girls basketball coach Kristen Calhoun faced a big challenge in her first ever undertaking as a head coach.
The former River View standout was hired on late and took over a program where stability had been an issue in previous years.
“It was insightful. I picked up the job pretty late and was still learning the ropes as the season was going on,” Calhoun said. “I learned how to manage the team better and how to get the girls going quicker. Most of all, I learned what it meant to be a role model for the girls. Show them that you can still reach your goals even when they feel like a lot is against them.”
“We didn’t have a winning season by no means,” Calhoun went on to say. “But, to take a team on that hadn’t finished a season the past few years before I took it over and to finish out the season and win one round of sectionals, was really good. We finished the season with double digit players (on the roster).”
Graduation took three players, but the roster numbers are still good and the Golden Knights are ready to keep pressing forward.
“I think this year that this is the group that will show everyone that had a bad impression of Mount View, that they are organized and will smile while they are on the floor,” Calhoun said. “They are serious and they want to do better. For a lot of them this is their second year under me and they know my expectations.”
Two of the returners that Calhoun will look to for leadership is senior Lakey Martin and sophomore Ashanti Bonds.
“Lakey Martin is still learning how to take control of the floor, but she calls our plays. She is still learning stuff herself,” Calhoun said. “Ashanti was one of our leading scorers last year. She always has a smile on her face when she plays. She was our shooting guard last year, but this year we will play her all over. Ashanti is a do-it-all player.”
Junior Ry’Anna Hood is a co-captain and brings some winning confidence to the team this year.
“Ry’Anna is coming off of cheer and her team is going to the state cheer competition. She is our role model for the team,” Calhoun said. “She is showing up and encouraging all the girls to get there. She is also a big threat on offense and will lead our defense. She will be the one that everyone looks to.”
Sharnelle Brown did not play last year, but she is back with the team, along with three new freshman, including Nevaeh Obey that Calhoun is excited about.
“Sharnelle is quick and feisty. We call her a “dogger” because she is not afraid to get in your face and put some pressure on you,” Calhoun said. “Nevaeh feels like she has something to prove. She is not letting the older girls run over top of her. She will play our center most of the time. She has some pressure on her, but she is living up to the expectations I have put on her right now.”
Zoey Rose also returns for her junior season after playing her first year of high school basketball.
“She would get really nervous, but this year she will be our moral compass on the floor,” Calhoun said about Rose. “She will control the girls attitude and be a role model. She is going to prove to everyone that she can be a threat.”
Positive numbers, positive attitudes and experience has the second year head coach excited for what lies ahead this year.
“I think that I have a good solid nine players that can play at anytime and we are hoping for a winning season and hopefully we can get a higher ranking in regionals. We are focusing on the teams in our region,” Calhoun said. “We are more mature now and my juniors and seniors are realizing one of them has to step up.”
Mount View opens the season Dec. 3 at Phelps, KY.
