Second year head coach Kayla Walsh is thriving in her role
CHANHASSEN, Minn. — Second year head coach Kayla Walsh is thriving in her role as her girls basketball team currently holds the best standing record in the AAAA Section 2 conference.
Walsh is a sixth-grade science and mathematics teacher at Wayzata West Middle School in Wayzata. She鈥檚 currently in her second year of teaching. Walsh received the appointment to the role of head coach in 2020 and she came in boasting a wealth of experience both as a former basketball player and as a coach. Walsh, a Minnesota native, attended high school at Wayzata High School in Wayzata and played for their basketball team, becoming one of their standout players.
Walsh continued her basketball career in college at the University of Iowa and then the National Sun Intercollegiate Conference at Winona State. Walsh’s association with the game did not stop there as she took on coaching roles after her college career with the Minnesota Fury and at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, where she coached for two seasons before joining Chanhassen High School as the assistant head coach.
Walsh鈥檚 knowledge of the game made her the most natural candidate.
鈥淚 feel that my past experiences on the court can tie together to help us have a successful season,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 could not be more proud and thankful to be leading the Storm. My experience has been outstanding.鈥�
Walsh’s first season in charge would be sub-par with the team finishing with a record slightly below five hundred. This season, however, they are looking like the team to beat.
Walsh’s team has only suffered one defeat so far this year, winning five of the six games played. Walsh has been able to get the best out of her players this year and there are notable names thriving under her reign.
Walsh’s success has been aided by the standout performances produced by her senior group, most notably Callin Hake and Madison Hicks.
鈥淲e have a strong senior class that brings a lot to the table,鈥� Walsh said. 鈥淲e have many experienced players that are on the court and they all bring something special to the court.鈥�
Walsh also attributes her team鈥檚 recent success to her staff that works tirelessly to get the best out of the players and the players鈥� families that are always in their corner.
鈥淭he athletics department has been super supportive, the families are supportive of the team and program, the players go above and beyond to make it a program atmosphere, and my staff is willing to go above and beyond for our players, program and school,鈥� she said.
Walsh has also taught winning qualities to her team, urging them to do the little things well.
鈥淨ualities that I feel that I brought to the program are focus on defense and rebounding, our mindset of grit, attention to the little things (doing the little things the right way), and a family atmosphere,鈥� she said. It鈥檚 these qualities that have helped her team become a tough opponent.
Walsh is thinking long term by allowing younger players to be a part of the program.
鈥淲e are also focusing on the youth program to get them bought in early, so we can keep building a strong future,鈥� she explained.
While the future may be secure, it is important to think about the present and it is easy to tell that the Storm is on top.
鈥淚 am super proud of this program and it is just the beginning,鈥� Walsh said. 鈥淚 could not be more thankful for the amount of hours my staff puts in to better our program. I feel that things are moving in the right direction and could not be more excited.鈥�
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