Former Lady Hounds making an impact as college freshmen

St. Catharine College freshmen and former Corbin Lady Hounds Kayla and Miranda Wilson

Last winter the Wilson twins – Kayla and Miranda – were busy leading the Corbin girls basketball team to a repeat 13th Region championship and a return trip to the Sweet 16 as senior Lady Redhounds. Now they are regular contributors on the college court as freshmen at Saint Catharine College.

As Lady Patriots, the Wilsons have played in each game leading up to the Christmas break. Currently, the team sits at 5-9 overall, and they are still looking for their first Mid-South Conference win of the season. Miranda had her best game to date on November 4, when she led Saint Catharine to an 86-84 victory over West Virginia State with 21 points, four rebounds and one assist. Kayla’s top performance came in a losing effort against Asbury University on November 24. In the 95-85 loss she recorded 20 points, four rebounds and eight assists.

When asked to comment on her two talented freshmen, Lady Patriots Head Coach Lena Bramblett said, “Every coach dreams of having at least one kid that is easy to coach, does what they are asked to do, comes in with a great attitude every day, and always works hard. I’m blessed because I have two like that.”

“Kayla and Miranda are the epitome of what college basketball players should be in terms of what you expect them to do and how you expect them to progress. They both get it. They know how to score, they’re getting better defensively, and they always play hard. I’ve never had two kids that are as crafty, gifted, and talented.”

“They both work their butts off every single day, and they are just an absolute gift and a joy. Honestly, I’ve been more pleased with them than I thought I would be. I would like to see them get physically stronger, and I would like for them both to be a little more vocal on the court, but the sky is the limit for both of them. They actually make my job easier.”

Corbin Lady Hounds Head Coach Jason McDaniel, who coached the Wilsons in their senior season at CHS, said of his former star athletes, “What they may lack in size, they more than make up for with competitiveness and heart. They will find a way to contribute to their basketball team. It doesn’t matter if it’s handling the ball, playing defense or rebounding. They are just very, very good players.”

“It’s tough for us to replace that competitiveness that they have. I’m blessed to have had the opportunity to coach them, and I couldn’t be more proud of two girls representing Corbin High School they way they do.”

And as for how Kayla and Miranda feel about college life compared to their high school days, they both said that things are going well. Recently, while watching their little sister Melanie compete for the Lady Hounds in the Crosstown Winter Classic at Pulaski Southwestern High School, the twins took a few moments to talk about what it’s been like playing and studying at the next level.

“It’s been good,” said Kayla. “But it’s different. The games are a played at a faster pace, and the competition is tougher, stronger, quicker and more physical.”

“Things have been good since we got past the conditioning,” Miranda added. “That was a struggle. I didn’t know the definition of running until we got here.”

Both sisters said that they are making time to stay on top of their duties in the classroom as well, managing to maintain good grades by working on assignments at night and whenever else their busy schedules will allow.

Kayla, Miranda and the rest of the St. Catharine women’s basketball team will be back in action on Monday, December 29 when they travel to Ave Maria University in Florida, and fans in the Corbin/Williamsburg area may want to mark the date of Thursday, February 12 on their calendars. On that day, the Lady Patriots are scheduled to visit the University of the Cumberlands for an MSC matchup with Head Coach Melissa Irvin’s Lady Patriots.

Tipoff time for that game is currently set for 6:00 PM at the Rollins Gymnasium in Williamsburg.