Empire had perhaps the best season in school history, making the State Tournament for the first time ever. Led by All-Stater KK Smith, and point guard Kenley Lemons Kenley Lemons 5'6" | CG Empire | 2024 State OK , Empire finished the season with a 24-4 record.  Transferring to Empire her Junior season from Comanche, Lemons averaged 13points, 4 assists, and nearly four steals per game this year. I was up close and personal as Kenley crossed the 1,000 career point threshold, as they came against my Binger-Oney Lady Bobcats in the Regional Tournament. Truly one of the best players I coached against this year, expecting big things as she takes her talents to NOC-Enid next season.

It starts and ends for Kenley with defense and shooting and those are two very good bookends to have. She seemed to be around the ball from tip to buzzer and had a hand in everything. That’s saying a lot when your team is so dominant. She is an intelligent player who does a very good job of reading plays and stepping into the passing lane. Just because she can shoot it really well from behind the arc, doesn’t mean that she can’t get in there and work hard on the glass, either. She showed the ability to search out a body and box out better than almost anyone on her team. It is clear that being at a smaller school has made her a versatile player who could do anything a college coach might ask of her. She is a senior and should most definitely be on your radar!