Kelsey Larson leaves Iola High School with her name all over the Fillies’ basketball record book.
Next year Larson exchanges the IHS blue and gold for the Independence Community College blue and gold. The IHS senior signed a letter of intent last week to play basketball for the Lady Pirates.
“I really liked the coaching staff and the girls who are playing there right now,” Larson said of her decision. “They’ve had a pretty successful program the past few years.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to play for Independence.”
ICC women’s basketball head coach Tony Turner, who coached one season at Allen Community College before going home to Independence, also was excited about Larson’s’ decision.
“Kelsey is a tough, versatile player who fits my style of basketball,” Turner said. “She has a high basketball IQ and we’re happy she is coming into our program.”
“Defense,” said Larson when asked about her assets as a player.
No doubt that is one of Larson’s strong suits on the basketball court. She led the Fillies with 76 steals as a senior.
Larson is second on the IHS career-steals list with 243. As the Fillies’ 5-8 point guard, she dished out 44 assists this season, which was tops for the team.
Larson also was second in scoring and rebounding during her senior season. She scored 235 points and grabbed 176 rebounds.
Larson shot 73 percent, 76 of 104, from the free-throw line. She was Iola’s top three-point shooter, 21 of 74 for 28 percent. Larson was 48 of 155 from the field.
Larson had five double-double games this season. Larson recorded seven double digit rebounding games with a season-high 16 against Columbus.
“Kelsey’s ability to play multiple positions will fit well here,” Turner said. “We see her as a combo guard because she shoots the ball well and will see some time at point guard.”
Turner will enter his sixth season as head coach of the Lady Pirates. They finished 27-6 overall and third in the Jayhawk Eastern Division at 14-4 this season.
Larson received All-Class 4A honorable mention from the Topeka Capital-Journal and the Wichita Eagle this year.
