by By Dan Ninham
Oftentimes college athletes need to transfer schools to improve their situations. One success story is happening at Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS.
Kasey Rice, 21, is from Shawne, OK and is a 6-0 junior guard for the Tabor College Bluejay basketball team in Hillsboro, KS. Her parents are David Rice and Candy Wooten.
“My tribe is Pawnee and I’m part of the pitahawirata,” said Kasey.
“I first started playing basketball in the seventh grade,” said Kasey. “My dad always told me I should try it out. When I first began my dad thought I was just going to know how to play the sport. I was really bad like I didn’t get a suit to play and I believe I only played one game that year. My dad came and told me I looked like a baby deer learning to walk. I practiced super hard for the summer just to start my eighth grade year.”
“I played basketball since the seventh grade to now in college but I ran track and cross country in high school,” said Kasey. “In basketball we always made it to state to play but I never got a win. I won state five times in track in high school. I was an All State player in the Native All State, the Oklahoma Coaches Association, and the Oklahoma Girls Basketball Association. I also was First Team All Conference freshman year at Haskell Indian Nations University.”
“My father positively influenced me as a basketball player and as a person,” said Kasey. “I looked up to a lot of people but I always looked up to my parents the most. My father helped me grow into the basketball player I am today, and if it wasn’t for him my seventh grade year pushing me to be the best I would of gave up back then. He pushed me everyday, got me in the backyard playing horse, dribbling, taking me to games and sacrificing his time of all things.”
“My dad had health issues for awhile and at one point we didn’t know if he was going to survive. To just know what he went through and continued to put my hopes and dreams to always push me to want to be great. He always told me nothing was going to be given to me,” added Kasey.
“Growing up a native athlete you didn’t see many of them like you do now and for my dad to always show me what it was to be native made me proud,” said Kasey. “I started my eighth grade year after not playing a game the year before and each year he went to the gym with me whenever I asked. He always helped me chase every dream I had towards basketball and life. High school was a lot easier and I was getting into the game. I was letting it come to me and he helped me have fun with the thing I love the most. I’ll never be able to repay my father for the hours he put in with me all I can do now is make him proud and make the rest of my family proud.”
“My mom played a big part and she never let me go without shoes and miss a tournament,” said Kasey. “Even if she was tired she was going to take me to my game. They gave up so much to watch me grow into the player I am and she drove hour on hour some nights to get me to a tournament. When I wanted my own travel team for native tournament my parents made that happen. Those are my two mentors because day in and day out they never left me without they always helped me set up my future. They taught me to love myself and know that everyone was not going to be pleased with me and to only please myself. I’m strong and independent because of my two parents and I couldn’t thank them enough. I’ve had plenty of coaches to help me in my future and the coaches I’ve played for all helped me become who I am.”
“When I chose to transfer schools from Haskell I was really scared and confused at the time,” said Kasey. “Zach Goodrich is my mentor now at Tabor University. When I chose to transfer I was scared. I didn’t want to start over after having such a hard time at my old college, and he really helped me transition into my school easy. He was a main part of the reason I chose to make Tabor College my main school because of how welcoming he was for me.
“Last year when I was in a big part of my slump, Zach made me realize that people aren’t going to hate me if I don’t play good,” said Kasey. “My teammates will still love me even if I miss that shot and I was real hard on myself. He really helped me with a lot of life lessons and with the help of him I found my place in the school and on the team. Zach left a mark in my life.”
“From the very first time I watched Kasey play, she had a knack for getting others involved,” said Zach Goodrich, volunteer assistant coach for the Tabor College women’s basketball team. “She does not need the spotlight, and her sole focus is doing the things that will help her team find success.”
“I believe that starts with her family and watching her dad and mom invest not only in her basketball journey but the other young ladies that she competed with. Mr. Rice wanted them to learn the game, and be able to play with flow when things were not always perfect, and that lesson has followed Kasey into her collegiate career. Life is not perfect, but we use every opportunity to learn and grow,” added Zach.
“The Tabor College coaching staff watched Kasey struggle learning a new system and meeting a perspective that has not been a part of her life journey her first year,” said Zach. “Those challenges have made her into a better person today in her second season finishing her fall ‘20 semester with a 3.6 GPA. Her overall play in her second season has significantly improved. Shooting percentages are up, play making for others has increased, and her enjoyment for the game continues to grow. Kasey is genuinely excited to see others do well. Her goal is to help the team reach its highest ceiling.”
“Off the court, Kasey has made lifelong friends that have impacted her life in ways she thought might not be possible,” said Zach. “In return, she has done the same for them. It is a joy to see different backgrounds come together, and find a common interest. The laughter she brings to a room, and the family mentality she brings to the team is one we hope continues to grow in her next two seasons. I do not believe we have seen the best of Kasey Rice on and off court, but when we do, it will be something special.”
Head women’s basketball Coach Shawn Reed, Tabor College talked about Kasey: “It has been a blessing coaching Kasey at Tabor. I knew when we watched her play in high school that she was a special talent. Kasey is a long athletic guard with an amazing shot. She also has the ability to run the floor and create for herself and others in transition.”
“However, what has been most amazing about coaching Kasey has been watching her grow as a person. She has developed very strong relationships and trust with her teammates at Tabor. That process took some time but Kasey is now a more confident person and player because of the positive friendships she has formed,” added Coach Reed.
“I have also seen Kasey develop as a leader,” said Coach Reed. “Kasey is a quiet encourager and she is genuinely happy when others on the team succeed. Her main leadership role has been through her steady performance and work ethic in both practice and games.”
“We are so blessed to have Kasey at Tabor and we look forward to watching her continued growth and success,” added Coach Reed.
“This year has been extremely exhausting for people and myself,” said Kasey. “I’ve had to take a lot of deep breaths with game cancellations and even with family members getting sick from COVID-19. During the pandemic I want to be the best I can be during this season because even though we have all this craziness we’re lucky to be playing and I don’t want to take it for granted. I’ve been emotionally drained sometimes because I’m getting excited to play and not getting to play your game.
“It was emotional when my teammates caught COVID-19. You never know because they’re family and I’d be just as worried about my family. This year is hard to play in because there are no fans so you bring your own enthusiasm and your own energy. Luckily my team always brings energy to games and practice,” added Kasey.
“I’m just waiting for it all to settle down so we can get back to normal,” said Kasey.
Photo Credit: Mike Klaassen, Tabor College, Digital Content Manager
