NCAA: Koehn Hopes to Impact Wildcats

After a disappointing 13-17 season, the KSU women's basketball team wants to improve. It shouldn't be too hard. Kansas State was successful in recruiting 5'8" guard, Laurie Koehn.

The Moundridge High School (KS) graduate is no stranger to success. She led her team to three state 2A championships and was a two-time USA Today Kansas player of the year, averaging 30.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 4.7 steals over her impressive 4-year career in which Moundridge was virtually unbeatable with a 97-7 record. She finished high school with 3,160 points, second in Kansas only to Southwest Missouri State scoring machine, and Claflin High School (KS) graduate, Jackie Stiles.

Koehn didn't score her points by shooting each time down the court, however. What makes her statistics even more impressive is the fact that she shot 58% from the field, 45% from three-point range, and 90% from the line during her career.

Kansas State was one of several colleges recruiting Koehn, who has been listed as one of the nations top 25 high school players. Women's basketball powerhouses North Carolina State and Stanford were also in the running, but she chose to stay in her home state.

This past summer, Koehn was one of 12 players chosen to represent her country in the USA Basketball 2000 Women's Junior World Championship Qualifying Team, averaging 12.4 points per game over five games. The team, whose assistant coach was K-State head coach Deb Patterson, swept the competition in Argentina, going 5-0.

Laurie Koehn was also recently named to the Women's Basketball News Service (WBNS) Preseason College All-Freshman Team.

Yes, this small-town player has big-time hopes.

Most likely, her biggest wish would be to help improve on last year's sub-par season from the Wildcats, because she definitely has the ability to make an impact. With hard work and a little luck, the team has a chance to make a statement in the Big 12.