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Prepping for Preps '21-22: Shipley School (Girls)

11/02/2021, 10:45am EDT
By Missy Dougherty

Missy Dougherty (@missyingyou)
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(Ed. Note: This story is the latest in CoBL’s “Prepping for Preps” series, which will take a look at many of the top high school programs in the region as part of our 2021-22 season preview coverage. As we publish more, the complete list of schools previewed will be found here.)

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Ten years ago, a young Lauryn Redcross attended a basketball camp worked by assistant coach Kyle Adams at Cheyney University. Little did both sides know that their paths would intersect years later at The Shipley School. Once entrusted to help strengthen the foundation of Redcross’ skill set on the court, Adams now is depending on Redcross as a foundational piece of his program as he takes the reins at Shipley. 

Kyle Adams headshot

Kyle Adams (above) is headed into his first year as the girls head coach at The Shipley School. (Photo courtesy Kyle Adams)

Most recently the associate head women’s basketball coach at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Adams is no stranger to the area as the Philadelphia native’s extensive coaching resume includes stops at Lincoln, Eastern, Community College of Philadelphia and the aforementioned Cheyney during a 20-plus year journey.  

The opportunity to be at Shipley thrills Adams, who was named to the top spot in early October.

“It’s really exciting,” he said. “I believe Shipley is one of the premiere independent institutions in the nation. It has a great tradition of basketball success and a lot of great coaches have won here, including most recently Sean Costello.”

Offering effusive praise for Shipley’s combination of amazing facilities, strong academic offerings, and supportive leadership, Adams envisions big things ahead for girls basketball at Shipley.

“I want us to be the preeminent girls basketball program in the area,” said Adams. “I want the team to make an impact in the community to the point where young girls look up to the players and aspire to be like them.”

Realizing that big things have small beginnings, Adams and his team are just a handful of open gyms into their relationship. Adams is still trying to figure out what he has, but first impressions have been beyond favorable.

“There are a lot of coachable kids in the program that are driven to get better at the game,” he said. 

Look no further than Redcross when it comes to driven and coachable players. The six-foot lefty sharpshooter, who can score from inside or out, provides Adams with the luxury of a proven veteran playmaker. Adams raved about her versatility and leadership and Redcross, in turn, feels ready to embrace her role.

Lauryn Redcross headshot

Lauryn Redcross (above) will be a key player this season for the Gators. (Photo: Kyle Adams)

“This basketball season I hope to bring a lot of leadership as a senior,” said Redcross. “We lost a lot of seniors last season, so I know my leadership, my energy and my scoring are going to have to be a major part in winning games.

After playing a very limited schedule last year, Redcross is elated just to be playing in the first place.

“This will be my first full season since COVID hit,” said the senior, who is drawing interest from a handful of Division I schools.  “I am excited by the thought of having an entire season and I want to win a Friends League championship.”

Also hoping to make her final season in a Gators uniform a memorable one is Amira Trueblood.

“I hope to bring energy, versatility, creativity, and leadership to the team this year,” said the 6-1 forward.

Trueblood worked hard in the offseason to elevate her game and Adams is counting on her leadership in the frontcourt. Coming back to Shipley after a one-year stay at Cherry Hill East, Trueblood is savoring her return to the Gators lineup.

“The chance to play for Coach Adams excites me,” she said. “What makes Shipley different is our culture, and Coach Adams always brings that culture into the gym. It makes us want to work hard for each other and get better every day.”

Joining Redcross and Trueblood in aiming to get better everyday will be a roster of new faces as Shipley’s lineup was hit hard by graduation last year with Sanaa Redmond (Samford) and Olivia Joseph (MIT) taking their talents to the next level. Redcross already sees the promise in her new teammates.

“We have a lot of new players in the program that I think can help build in future years,” she said. “We have a lot of great potential.”

Adams echoes Redcross’ feeling about Shipley’s capability for success this season.

“Some could say depth will be an issue, but that means several young kids will have to play,” added Adams. “That will hopefully be a plus down the road.”

Among the young players that will have to play is a trio of eighth graders who aspire to make their respective marks on the rotation.

“Guards Taylor Lasky (5-4) and Sanai Johnson (5-3), along with wing Rikai Williford (5-9) will all compete for varsity minutes,” said Adams. “When you think of the landscape of college basketball recruiting these days, it’s an asset to be able to offer these kids the competitive advantage of five years of playing varsity basketball.”

Amira Trueblood headshot

Amira Trueblood (above) will finish out her high school hoops career at The Shipley School after a one-year stint at Cherry Hill East. (Photo: Kyle Adams)

Freshman Julianna Proper, a 5-3 guard, will also be in the mix as she has made an early impression with her toughness and shooting ability. 

Adams has heard about the schools that are expected to be the front runners in the Friends League this season, but he is choosing to focus on the group he has in front of him.

“It’s easy to look at what we don’t have,” said Adams. “I want to look at what we do have. I need to put each player in position to be successful. We need to maximize our own potential.”

What will the team’s strength be with all these new faces? Adams says it must be team defense in the effort to create offense.

“We want to build the foundation for the future of Shipley basketball the right way,” said the first-year coach.

Helping Adams erect that foundation will be assistants Shania Stamper (who played for Adams at Cheyney), former Villanova player Adrianna Hahn, and Liz Denbigh. A stolen glance inside open gym reveals those important foundational elements include a focus on fundamentals, and communication, as well as the importance of being a good teammate, as they process lessons learned together along the way. 

Adams is quick to point out there are different levels of success.

“I want to see kids that take care of each other, and are committed to each other, and grow in their love of the game,” he said. “We want to send the seniors off in the right way.”

Redcross talks about wanting to be remembered as a great team leader, who always brought the energy. Trueblood can’t help but think about all the things basketball has given her in terms of confidence, healthy friendships, leadership roles and the time management skills that have helped facilitate a sparkling GPA. They both realize together that the time is now to start putting the finishing touches on their respective legacies.

“Overall, I want anyone who comes through the Shipley basketball program to see it as a defining moment in their lives,” said Adams. “I told Lauren and Amira I want them crying their eyes out on Senior Night, because they had such a great experience in the program, they don’t want it to end.”


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