Girls' basketball: Kennedy has plenty of talent returning

Eager to stay on the court, Bloomington Kennedy girls' basketball coach Percy Wade takes charge of seventh- and eighth-grade teams during the summer months. In addition to practices, and games against teams their own age, Wade also schedules some work with JV-level players.

The final score in such contests doesn't matter. Nor does how any one player performs. The experience, however, Wade cannot stress enough.

"I am worried about them learning the speed of the game," Wade said. "Once the girls get the confidence and learn the speed of the game, gain a little confidence as a basketball player, guess what happens?"

One example: sophomore guard Aubrey Davis.

A product of Wade's system, Davis played up on the Eagles' freshman team as a seventh grader and has been on varsity the past two seasons. Last season, she averaged nearly nine points a game in helping Kennedy reach the Class 4A, Section 2 finals.

Chaska wound up coming out on top 44-42 in that game, advancing to the state tournament by outscoring Kennedy 27-13 in the second half.

No one on Kennedy's team has forgotten about that, and with official practice starting this week the mission begins to get back.

Even with losing 16-point-a-game scorer Shakila Boler, who transferred to Minneapolis Roosevelt, Kennedy has four starters back this season. Davis is one of those four, and has been named a team captain.

It's quite the honor for a player who still has to bum rides off teammates. Despite her young age, she has the poise of a veteran player, which, actually, she is.

"We play the best when we're playing team ball, not being selfish" Davis said. "The little things, we all need to do. We're looking pretty good right now. I think we have a good chance ... as long as we stay together."

A handful of Kennedy players participated in, and won, a summer tournament in Becker a few months ago. Participating teams included Centennial (undefeated last season until losing in the Class 4A, Section 5 finals) and DeLaSalle (29-2 in Class 3A) in addition to the host Bulldogs, who lost to Rogers in the Class 3A, Section 5 finals.

Wade said it was Davis' leadership that propelled the Eagles.

"She knows the system," Wade said. "She knows what defense we need to be in. And she'd not afraid to talk to the girls and tell them what needs to happen."

Davis isn't the type to yell and scream, however. Yes, she'll speak up when needed; that's one of the jobs of any good point guard. But if she had to pick one over the other, Davis would prefer to lead by example rather than by leading verbally.

"I know I need to step up the scoring," she said. "I've gained so much experience. My eighth grade year, I made the little mistakes; you could tell I was the young player. My dribbling and my shooting has developed so much. I think this should be a breakout year for me."

She's not alone in that thought.

Though Davis also plays soccer and softball for the Eagles, it's basketball she puts the most into. Wade said she is already earning interest from Big Ten and Big 12 colleges, and there is no limit to her potential.

"She can anticipate well what's going to happen on offense [and] plays great defense," Wade said. "She does all of it real well."