• Wes Bloomquist •
• Originally published January 16, 2009 at 12:01 a.m., updated January 16, 2009 at 12:01 a.m.

Kaelynn Reyes couldn't stop crying after Memorial lost to Gregory-Portland in the first game of the season. The senior couldn't explain why, but it showed her passion for the game and how much this season means to her.

Reyes is a four-year starter for the Lady Vipers and has seen her roles change throughout the years but has been one of the teams leaders since her first day in high school. This season, she is averaging six points and around five assists per game.

"I'm more of a point guard instead of a shooting guard like last year," Reyes said. "I try to lead my team on the floor and just find the open person who is open for a good shot. It's a good thing that they've all stepped up and are scoring."

Reyes has worked on her game throughout her four years and has impressed her coach with her development.

"She's grown as a player and she loves the game," Memorial head coach Sandra Jimenez said. "She has worked on everything and knows how to play the game. She is always playing and pushing the other players to get better."

Memorial (17-9, 3-3) travels to Corpus Christi on Friday to play King (3-3) in a key Distirct 27-5A contest. The Lady Vipers are coming off 67-59 district win over San Antonio Highlands.

Jimenez said coaches constantly ask when Reyes is going to graduate, which she takes as a sign of respect for the 5-foot-2 point guard.

"She's come along way since she was a freshman, but even then she was impressive," Jimenez said. "Her role has always been to bring the ball down and set up the offense. When the shot is there we expect and want her to take it, but she's doing a great job of distributing the ball. We have more options this year and it's working out for us."

Reyes is one of five seniors on the Memorial team. She has developed her leadership skills along with her ball handling skills.

"She means everything to this team," Memorial senior Breanna Jones said. "If not for her, I don't know how we would get the ball down the court as well as we do."

With a 3-3 district record, Memorial still has plenty of work to do to secure a playoff spot. The Lady Vipers will host Converse Judson, Converse Wagner and Corpus Christi Carroll in the second half of the season. The three teams have handed the Lady Vipers big losses, but they knows the playoffs are still a reality if they can continue to beat the other schools.

"It could get better, and it's going to get better when we go to the playoffs," said Reyes of her senior season.

"I'm happy with the way things are going, but we still have a lot of work to do."

• Print
• •
• Share
  • Share this item

    Send this to a friend

    Share on FaceBook

  • Grab the link

    Copy and paste the link:

  • Blog about it

    Blog about this page.

  • Close
• •
• Post a Comment
• •
• Favorite
• •
• Report error
  • Thank you for your submission.
    Error report or correction

    Contact name (optional) Contact phone/e-mail (optional)  

    
  • Close
• •