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At 6-foot-7, Kamille Lisonbee is definitely that.
The Mountain Crest Mustang signed a letter of intent with Marshall University in West Virginia to be a part of the women’s basketball team.
“We were looking for an inside presence, and we felt that she certainty could bring that to our team,” Chadwick said. “... We were looking for someone who could come in and make an instant impact to our program, and we believe she’s the girl.”
Marshall barely missed going to the post-season last year, and that was without an inside presence like Lisonbee.
“Hopefully when we add a center, we’re going to have some opportunities to do some neat things,” Chadwick said.
Chadwick’s team had been forced to use power forwards to play center. Needless to say, those power forwards are excited for Lisonbee to show up.
“We have some power forwards on this team that are plenty pumped about the opportunity to have her come in so they can go out and face the basket,” Chadwick said.
Last year Lisonbee led the Mustangs with 88 blocked shots on the year. As a team, the Thundering Herd had just 81 blocked shots for the season.
“I know they’re trying to put a lot in to make it better,” MC head coach Amanie Crosbie said. “Having a big girl like Kamille is a great step for them.”
With the absence of a true center, Chadwick said Lisonbee should have the opportunity to contribute right away for the Thundering Herd.
“Without a doubt she’s going to have opportunities to step in and get some minutes,” Chadwick said. “Really it depends on the type of summer she has, as to what she will be able to do for us when November rolls around. It’s all about getting bigger, faster, stronger and if she has a good summer I think she is going to be able to really make a contribution to our team.”
According to Crosbie, improving is not a problem for Lisonbee, who showed in her senior year that she is continuing to better her game.
“I think Kamille is just such a coachable girl, and any opportunity that she gets to play she is just going to get better,” Crosbie said. “... Every game and every practice she gets more confident. She gets to a new a level, and I don’t think it’s done yet.”
Lisonbee averaged 10.3 points per game, 9.1 rebounds and 4.3 blocks, earning her the Herald Journal Defensive Player of the Year. She was an honorable mention on both the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret Morning News all-state teams.
For Lisonbee, the choice to go to Marshall was an easy one — once she got out there that is.
“I just really loved the school and loved the girls,” Lisonbee said. “Once I went out there, I knew immediately that is where I wanted to go. It just clicked for me.”
She also said the full-ride scholarship they offered her helped make the decision a little easier.
Lisonbee plans to major in education at the 14,000-student school in Huntington, W.V. She is also just excited to be able to continue playing basketball.
“To be able to move on with a new chapter in my life and move out there and do something I love,” Lisonbee said. “To be able to play basketball, something I love doing, and be able to meet a bunch of new people and play against a bunch of new girls that are really good. I’m excited about that.”
With the addition of Lisonbee, the Thundering Herd will be gunning for the post-season.
“For what they need, I think Kamille is just perfect,” Crosbie said.
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| Photo by Meegan M. Reid/Herald Journal |
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