Centre College freshmen, from left, Ryleigh Campbell, Claire Russell and Kristen Whited are all Kentucky high school state tournament veterans. (Abigail Wehby Photo)
Freshmen Kristen Whited, Ryleigh Campbell and Claire Russell all had one thing in common before they got to Centre College — they all played in the state high school tournament.
Russell averaged 4.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game last season for state champion Sacred Heart. Campbell contributed 5.3 points and 2.2 rebounds per game while hitting 54 3’s for Bowling Green, a state tourney quarterfinalist. Whited added 11.7 points and 2.0 rebounds per game for Pikeville, a state tourney quarterfinalist, and made 65 3-pointers.
“We had all played against each other but we didn’t really know each other. I feel like we’re all playing well together,” said Whited, a 5-4 guard. “We all had a lot of big-game experience and I think playing in the state tournament helped us all know what playing on a bigger college floor was like and what kind of shape we would have to be in to play college basketball.”
Campbell, a 5-9 guard, is averaging 22 minutes (third best on the game), 7.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game and shooting 38 percent overall and 34 percent from 3. Whited averages 11.4 minutes and 3.7 points per game while shooting 36 percent from 3. Russell contributes 7.8 minutes, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 points per game even though her play was limited early due to illness.
The Colonels (7-2) currently are in Hawaii where they will play games Saturday and Sunday. Whited believes they can help Centre have a “really good team” the next few years and experiences like this trip will help.
“Ryleigh is really good. She’s an all-around scorer. Claire is just a big hustler. She gets a bunch of rebounds just like she did in high school. We all hang out all the time and get along great,” Whited said.
All three freshmen have had to adjust to playing almost every minute of most games in high school to their more limited playing time this season. Whited says they don’t think about the past a lot because they need to stay in the present to be the best players they can be this season.
“You just have to concentrate on making sure you know the plays even when you are on the bench because there is so much more to know. You have to know what defense to get into when you go into the game, what plays to run.”
Whited admits adjusting to college basketball was hard. She had always played for coach Kristy Orem at Pikeville but is thankful that Centre coach Wendie Austin is similar to her high school coach.
“It took a while for me to get into a rhythm but I feel like I finally adjusted and we are all playing well together,” Whited said.
She was primarily a 3-point shooter most of her high school career before starting to “branch out” more as a senior and take the ball to the basket.
“Now I feel like that is part of my game and I am very comfortable doing that,” she said. “Some games now it is easier to get on 3’s than others, so I need to be able to go to the basket.
“I feel like I have been pretty aggressive on defense and that’s something you have to do in college. I am still trying to adjust to coming off the bench but overall it has been a really good start to my college career.
“I wanted to come here because of the small class atmosphere and get a really good education. Everybody was so welcoming to me and that has not changed. I just love it here and love our team.”
