Athlete of the Week: Kyra Fox

Kyra Fox knows all about hard work, preparation, and taking opportunities when they come your way. The White County High School senior has been on the basketball courts since elementary school, but last year she saw her role change.

“Kyra played in spurts, subbing in here and there for us when needed,” Warriorette head coach Michael Dodgen said and further stated that opportunity came Fox’s way when a teammate was injured in December last season. “You hope when it’s their turn to step in, they are ready to play, and Kyra did just that. She was ready to step in and be a presence on the floor every game.”

Dodgen said Fox works hard and is passionate about the game of basketball and provides a strong defensive presence for the Warriorettes.

“Gritty,” the White County coach said is the best word to describe Fox, who will be starting at guard this season for the Warriorettes. “She’s been that way since she was at Woodland Park. And now, she provides so much leadership – both on and off the ball – for us. She’s just a great kid.”

According to Fox, basketball has taught her a lot about life. Along with lessons about hard work and availability, it taught her about being a good person.

“You have these teammates around you; they lift you up and make you better,” she said. “I have always worked to be that kind of teammate, too.”

But basketball isn’t the only sport Fox has used to add to her time at White County High School. After playing in middle school, the senior just finished her only season of high school volleyball.

“Volleyball is really fun, but, when I got to high school, I thought I needed to focus on basketball and grades,” she said about dropping the sport as a freshman. “But I knew this was my last chance to play again, and I wanted to be there with my friends. And, like I said, I really enjoy volleyball – it’s a nice change of pace from the intensity of basketball season.”

Fox knows her time as a Warriorette is coming to an end quickly. Three more months of basketball – maybe a few extra weeks if White County advances far enough in the post season – and her time in maroon and gray will be up. Two and a half months later, and she will walk out of the doors at White County High School for the last time.

“This school is so together in everything. Not just sports, but people – we are a whole community here,” she said. “I’m going to miss that. It’s going to be sad not seeing these people every day, not passing people I know in the hall and exchanging smiles and just knowing we are all in this together.”

But Fox has plans – not concrete ones but plans just the same. She said that she would love to continue playing basketball at the collegiate level, and if that’s the case, her college of choice will be whichever one gives her an opportunity – something she learned to take when offered.

“I’ll study business wherever I end up,” Fox said, “but no specific career path in that area yet. I’ll just see where life leads me.”

As any good leader, Fox has a word of advice for those who will still be walking – or will begin walking – through the halls at White County High School next year.

“You don’t get a do-over for your high school years, so whatever you love doing, do it,” she said, “and be ready for anything. Take all the opportunities that come your way.”