Gremlin hoop standout Gibson headed to SRU
KARNS CITY — To LeeAnn Gibson, it was just a number on a uniform.
To Karns City girls basketball coach Dave Kerschbaumer, it was a number of significance.
“When LeeAnn joined our program, I issued her No. 20,” Kerschbaumer said. “Katie Kepple, Karissa Kusick and Ashley Campbell all wore that number here and all scored 1,000 points.
“I had a feeling what LeeAnn was going to do.”
Kerschbaumer proved to be a prophet. Gibson has already scored 1,000 points with the Gremlins and still has her senior season to play.
Gibson signed a letter of intent Tuesday to continue her academic and basketball career at Slippery Rock University. She becomes the first KC girls basketball player to reach the Division II level since Courtnay Rattigan signed with Indiana (Pa.) in 2000.
“That means a lot to me,” Gibson said of comparisons to Rattigan. “She's been around to help coach us a little bit and she was a great player.
“All I want to do is go to Slippery Rock and help the team win games. Coach (Bobby) McGraw is an intense coach who is building something positive there and I want to be part of it.”
Gibson will join the new physician assistant program at SRU. She serves as an athletic trainer in football at Karns City, plays softball and runs track in addition to playing basketball. She was a member of the volleyball team last year.
Gibson was even crowned homecoming queen at Karns City this fall.
“We're creating a new position on the court for LeeAnn next year. It's called winner,” McGraw said. “Because that's what this girl is and that's the type of player we want in our program.
“She practically snapped her finger in half late last season and came back to play days later. That girl will do anything for her team. She's all about team. She's proven that.”
Kerschbaumer agrees. Gibson will enter this season needing 492 points to catch Elizabeth Whitmer's record for most career points scored at Karns City.
“She may very well get it, but that's not her focus,” Kerschbaumer said. “LeeAnn isn't concerned about that at all. All she wants to do is win.”
A two-time Butler Eagle Girls Basketball Player of the Year, Gibson averaged 14 points and 8.3 rebounds per game for the Gremlins last season. She averaged 17 points per game as a sophomore.She has been a post player for Karns City. She will play a wing position at Slippery Rock.“I know she can make that adjustment,” McGraw said. “LeeAnn can shoot the ball and she's got versatile skills on the court.”Gibson has started preparing for the change and Kerschbaumer said she will see playing time at wing this season.“It will be a big transition for me, going to guard,” Gibson said. “I'll have to handle the ball a lot more and shoot from outside.“I'll do what I have to do. I like the coaching staff up there. I did an overnight recruiting trip and the girls were great. The school is a good fit for me overall.”SRU won 11 games and reached the PSAC Tournament last season, the first time the program's done either in years.Karns City's girls have won back-to-back District 9 Class AA basketball championships.“Being used to winning will be a big help,” Gibson said of her upcoming college career. “I know what it takes.”And McGraw figures she'll bring it along with her.“It's an intangible,” he said. “Myron Brown was a center at Sto-Rox, played shooting guard here and put together an outstanding career. Winners know how to adjust and get it done.“LeeAnn Gibson is in that category. She's one of the marquee players in Butler County and we are thrilled to get her.”Gibson is the first Butler County player to join the SRU women's basketball program since 2009, when Butler graduate Lyndsy Day and Mars graduate Haley Geyer were walk-ons with the program.
