Kepple

KARNS CITY — Forgive Allyson Kepple if she doesn't know where she ranks among the top Karns City girls basketball players.

She's been a part of the team so long, she never really thought about it.

Kepple, a senior guard, reached the 1,000-point mark Jan. 11 with a 24-point effort in a win against A-C Valley, becoming the sixth KCgirls player to do so.

"I didn't know how close I was," said Kepple. "I was at a friend's house for the Steelers game and he said 'I heard you were under 50 points away.'

I said, 'Oh really? I didn't really know.' They blew the whistle and I thought it was a time out, but then they came out on the floor,"she added.

Two games later — in a 46-42 loss to Cranberry Thursday — Kepple scored 18 points, moving her into fifth place on the girls career list with 1,031 points, passing Gina Andreassi (1,021).

"I was really happy to get to it, but I don't set personal goals" said Kepple. "I just want to try and make the team better."

The Gremlins (9-8, 6-6 in the KSAC) have been up and down this season, but Kepple has been a senior leader for the squad. Kepple is averaging 14.8 points per game and has 26 3-pointers.

"She's been rock solid for four years," said Gremlins coach Dave Kerschbaumer. "Just her presence puts the other girls at ease. Sometimes too much at ease because they want to give her the ball."

Kepple made a huge contribution as a freshman, chipping in with 6.3 points per game and 20 3-pointers. As a sophomore, she averaged 10.1 points, 3.5 assists, added 23 treys and was a second-team Butler Eagle All-Star.

Teamed with Haley Callihan for the third consecutive season last year, both made the Butler Eagle's first team and All-KSAC.

Kepple averaged 12.3 points, 3.5 assists and drained 36 3-pointers.

"Her work ethic all four years was great," said Kerschbaumer. "She didn't come in saying, 'I'll score 1,000 points.' She worked hard. She put in lots of hours on her own time and with the help of her family. You can see it in her play."

The young Gremlins have not been enjoying the success they've had in years past, something that has been a little tough for Kepple.

"It's been a lot different," said Kepple. "A lot of girls need to have confidence and confidence leads to success. We've only lost two games by more than 10 points, but it's been tough."

Still, the Gremlins are eyeing a berth in the District 9 Class AA playoffs with Kepple at the helm and know a lot is still at stake this season.

"We have to play every game and go hard," said Kepple. "The third quarter has been the weakest part of our game. That's made it hard to come back."

Kepple has enjoyed success in several sports at Karns City, including soccer, softball and track and field. What she might do in college will depend on where she's going.

Among those schools that has Kepple interested are Westminster, Grove City and Clarion.

"I'm still applying. I'll play something, but I'm not sure," said Kepple. "I'm looking at some schools were I can play soccer and basketball."