Calm, as junior Kyle Mckinley calms down he focuses on how to make the free throw from the line. Breathe in, and out. He preps for the shot. Slowly he brings the ball up and shoots, swish, the ball sinks into the hoop.

McKinley is not just a great student and loyal friend, he is also “beast” on the basketball court. Mckinley, standing roughly six foot ten inches, plays power forward for the Stillwater Area High School Ponies.  A power forward is a person who plays in the low post and typically has good rebounding skills.

McKinley started playing basketball in seventh and eighth grade when he realized that his height would be an advantage to him.

“During those years junior Matt Anderson and junior Connor Gamble came up to me and asked me to try out for the basketball team,” said McKinley.

Soon after, Mckinley found himself on the SAHS basketball team.

To be a basketball player they must have some time to not just practice with their team but practice by themselves and be able to challenge themselves as well.

“I practice by myself in the weight room and work on my jump shots, lay-ups, rebounds, free throws and three pointers,” McKinley said. “I have a high ambition to get better so I always want someone who is not afraid to challenge me.”

One of those people who have challenged McKinley is SAHS basketball coach Randy Jordan. Jordan has been coaching high school and college basketball since 1981. He joined the SAHS staff in 2008 and has been coaching basketball since then as well. Jordan’s high school teams have competed in the State Tournament seven times and he has received Coach of the Year awards at the state, section and conference level. At the college level, he received the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

“Kyle played a lot on the JV last year.  We are looking for him to be a big part of our varsity this year,” said Jordan.

Most of the junior varsity players are being promoted to varsity this year because of the seniors who have graduated but they are also being brought up for skill as well.

The final thing that brings this team together is camaraderie between the players on the court.

“He gives the team a good presence at both ends of the court,” said coach Jordan. “The thing that makes Kyle unique from all the other players is his height and a lot of desire to go with it.”