Kinsley Molden, left, celebrates with her dad, coach Junior Molden, and teammates after Southwestern won the 12th Region championship. (Chris Zollner Photo)
Her father is always hard on her, but that’s just fine with Southwestern freshman guard Kinsley Molden.
“I love it. There could not be a better environment for me. He always pushes me. I just love it so much because that makes me better,” she said.
Her father is Southwestern coach Junior Molden and they are back in Rupp Arena as 12th Region champion for the second straight year. The Warriors will play McCracken County (31-1) tonight at the state tourney.
“I would have never dreamed it,” Molden, who also started on last year’s team, said. “I am so proud of my team, so proud of everybody.”
Kinsley Molden is Southwestern’s second-leading scorer at 14.1 points per game. She shoots 40 percent overall from the field and 33 percent (73 of 222) from 3-point range. At the foul line, she is money as she has made 86 of 99 (86.9 percent) free throws. The freshman also averages 3.6 rebounds per game.
“For my daughter to be the starting two guard on back-to-back regional championship teams is unbelievable,” Junior Molden said. “As an eighth-grader last year, (senior point guard) Alexia Smiddy made her great. This year she had to learn to do more without Alexia.
“She had some slumps and tough times. She got face guarded a lot but she fought. I could not be prouder. To do this as a dad and have your daughter on your team, it is hard.
“I feel sorry for her sometimes. I am hard on her and know I am but it is so rewarding right now when you do something like we did.”
His daughter said he is tough because Southwestern played such a demanding schedule — six of Southwestern’s seven losses came to teams in the state tourney.
“That is what makes us so good in big situations,” Kinsley Molden said. “I have played basketball all my life and love it so much. I am so excited to be back in Rupp with my dad and teammates. He’s tough on us for a reason and the reason is to get us back to Rupp.”
