Khon capped four-year career by helping Northwest to 22-win season
By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Jackson – He’d coached her for three years before this, keeping her on the varsity and inserting her to the starting lineup as a freshman. He watched her mature her game as a sophomore, then totally change it as a junior.
But as he spoke about Lexie Khon Tuesday afternoon, Northwest girls basketball coach Ryan Carroll said she blossomed into a totally new player in 2015-16 as a senior.
And he loved every second of it.
“The thing that stands out to me, or the difference this year, was the leadership role she took on,” Carroll said. “In the big moments, she was the go-to player. In the biggest games we played, she had her biggest games. That showed a lot about her.”
And was just part of the reason Khon was named JTV Sports Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
“Great teammate. A great leader. She’s so versatile,” Carroll added. “The first two years we had her she was our post player. The last few years she’s switched to a stretch player who played the perimeter.”
“I thought this was a good year for our team,” Khon said of a season that finished with a 22-3 record. “It didn’t end exactly as we wanted it to, but we were very happy with the dedication and the way we worked. … I don’t have any regrets. I felt like I played as hard as I could. I did some things I’m proud of.”
Khon finished the year averaging 14.7 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks per game.
She ended her career with 1,194 total points and 840 rebounds.
“As a freshman, she was the best post player we had,” Carroll said. “That’s what we needed, and she was able to step in and fulfill that role. She started every game as a freshman. As she’s grown the past four years, she’s solidified the paint for us. She’s going to be hard to replace. And that may not even be possible. We’re going to need new roles for people to make up for what she did.”
Khon called her four years on varsity “crazy.”
“But I couldn’t be happier to have spent it at Northwest and with the groups I did,” she said. “It was crazy, but so much fun.”
Khon is headed to Lake Superior State next year.
“I’m hoping to come in, get a decent amount of playing time and contribute in any way I can,” she said. “Whether it’s rebounding or scoring or playing defense, or even cheering from the bench. I want to help and be a part of it.”
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’
Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.