Mesa Ridge graduate in NCAA’s Final Four
As Louisville prepared to play Mississippi State at the women’s Final Four on Friday, Denver Post preps editor Kyle Newman caught up with 6-foot-4 sophomore forward and Mesa Ridge graduate Kylee Shook to discuss the Cardinals’ NCAA Tournament run.
Q: What’s it been like to be a part of this Final Four ride?
A: It’s been an incredible experience. What we’ve been able to accomplish this year, and getting back to the Final Four, is a credit to the talent and work ethic of this team. In the Elite Eight win over Oregon State, you really saw our energy as a whole, while (guard) Asia Durr shot really well from outside and inside. With our play in the conference and NCAA Tournaments, I feel we’ve definitely proved we belong on this stage.
Q: How are you making the most of your time off the bench?
A: Our two starting forwards, Sam Fuehring and Myisha Hines-Allen, are really solid and they bring a ton of intensity and scoring to the floor. So when I get in the game, I need to make sure to keep up that intensity. Sometimes that’s by scoring, and sometimes that’s by getting every rebound I can and making sure we’re staying disciplined in the paint on the defensive end.
Q: How important is it for you to represent your state?
A: I love Colorado, so it’s important for me that I play well for the state and for Colorado Springs. It’s great to hear from former coaches and teammates who helped me get to this point, like (Mesa Ridge coach) Jeff Beatty — he and I talk sometimes, and we did this season again. It was also awesome to hear about how they beat the number one-ranked team in the (Class 4A) state tournament, even though they lost in the Final Four.
I obviously couldn’t see any of the Mesa Ridge games, so Beatty would text me and let me know how the season was going. And I follow other Colorado women who are playing too, like (Grandview graduate) Michaela Onyenwere at UCLA. We played for the same AAU team one summer, so I know her, and I think we all kind of root for each other — especially when it gets to the NCAA Tournament.
Q: This year’s team has already racked up the most wins in Louisville history — now, what’s it going to take for you and your teammates to advance to the title game for another crack at the program’s first national championship?
A: Mississippi State is a great team with a great coach, so we have to be ready to play from the opening tip. (Coach Jeff ) Walz puts a lot of emphasis on defense, playing for each other, getting stops when we absolutely need them and not giving up easy baskets. That’s all going to be really
Kylee Shook’s Louisville career at a glance
• Averaging 14.1 minutes in 38 games played this season, including one start; made 13 starts as a freshman.
• Averaging 5.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 blocks this season. • Has scored in double digits seven times this season.
• Posted a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds) in NCAA Tournament opener vs. Boise State important on Friday night. No. 1 seed Louisville (36-2) vs. No. 1 seed Mississippi State (36-1), 5 p.m. Friday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio (ESPN2)