Kaylee Blue

By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer

BROSELEY -- The Lady Raiders took another step toward solidifying their guards Thursday afternoon as Kaylee Blue signed her letter of intent at Twin Rivers High School.

"I have been waiting to play basketball," Blue said. "I knew I wanted to play a sport in college and it feels really good that I got to sign today."

Blue likes the fact that she a little grew less up than 20 miles from the Three Rivers .

"I am excited about campus family and some of my best my friends are staying around here," Blue said. "I just really couldn't ask for much more."

Blue was a four-year varsity starter at Twin Rivers and was a team leader over the course of her senior season. She averaged 19.1 points per game over the course of the season and totaled 497 over the year. Her role will change as she transitions to may the Black & Gold.

"She is definitely going to have to do a different role because she had to do most of our scoring, not all of it, but she was our primary threat," Twin Rivers coach Jeff Walk said. "At the All-Star game, I was kind of surprised with what she was able to do against those taller girls so who knows what is going to take place next year. She works hard and gets after it and anything is possible for her."

Blue hit 41 percent from 3-point range her senior season and Three Rivers coach Jack Childress likes Blue's energy and what she adds to the team.

"She has got quickness and can handle the ball and she can shoot the 3-pointer real well in clutch situations " Childress said. "Her release is quick."

Blue will be able to work with experienced guards as Morgan Davis and Meridith Medlin, who will both be back after starting for the Lady Raiders as freshmen. Although the guard spot is deep for Childress, Blue has determination, which should be a plus.

"She works extremely hard and that is a big key for anybody at Three Rivers " Childress said. "I don't think she will have a whole lot of trouble. She can go, endurancewise, a long time."

Regardless of how she fits into the plans for the Lady Raiders, Blue is ready to accept any challenges that the coaching staff presents.

"I am just going to be ready to play and whatever (Coach Childress) asks me to do, I am going to do it," she said. "I hope I can do what he (expects) out of me."

Blue ranks third all-time on the Twin Rivers scoring list with a total of 1,252 points. However, before going to Three Rivers, improvements in Blue's game will be essential.

"Anytime you step up to another level, ball-handling skills have your got to improve or you are not going to get to play," Walk said. "She is smart enough that she knows that. She wants to play bad enough and she will do whatever it takes to get in the game."

The height of the competition that Blue will face is something that could be different from what she is used to seeing.

"I will play a lot taller people and I will probably be playing a shooting guard," Blue said. "I will not be playing down in the post very much."