This week's Peak Performer: Kylee Shook, Mesa Ridge girls' basketball

While most high school freshmen just want to blend in and get through the first year of high school, Kylee Shook is looking to do the opposite and make a name for herself.

The 6-foot-4 Mesa Ridge center has turned some heads in her first three varsity games. Shook has averaged 15.3 points, 16.3 rebounds and 8.3 blocks in leading the Grizzlies to routs of Doherty, Pueblo County and Cheyenne Mountain.

“What she’s done is very impressive and kind of caught us off guard,” Mesa Ridge coach Jeff Beatty said. “She had some high-profile scrimmages before the season and she was very competitive, but she didn’t show the dominance until the real games.”

Dominance is putting it lightly. Shook is averaging almost a triple-double and has already shown she might be the most dangerous post player in the city at the age of 14.

Even Shook doesn’t know how lethal she may become with time.

“I’m not sure yet, but it feels good to be playing well, and I have to thank my dad and my teammates for helping me out,” said Shook, who usually faces a zone defense. “I have another really good post playing with me — Sami Rudd — and together we have been doing well.”

So how have the Mesa Rodge’s upperclassmen received the dynamo? Beatty says his team has been taken to another level with the addition of Shook.

“The seniors have responded pretty well; most of our varsity players are high-level players with club experience and their goal is to go far in the state tournament and they’ve embraced her and know she can help us,” he said. “Kylee runs the floor so well for a tall girl and as far as big players go, she has a chance to be the best we’ve ever had.”

The thing that should keep opposing coaches awake at night is that Shook isn’t just a tall player who shoots layups all game. She can make jumpers, and likes to go outside.

“The thing I need to work on most is my dribbling, but one of the best parts of my game is my shooting,” Shook said. “I have been practicing shooting the ball my whole life.”

It isn’t just those at Mesa Ridge or locally that have taken notice of Shook. Beatty says he gets a call from a Division I program at least once a week.

“I’ve already had at least 10 D-I programs call about her,” he said. “From Colorado to the Big East, a lot of schools are showing interest in her. We’re actually getting D-I calls about quite a few kids right now and sometimes we have the coaches at our games.”

While Shook says where she’ll go to college is still “completely wide open” at this point, one thing is for sure – the rest of the city and state better watch out.