Kierra Thayer strolls to the hoop during a middle school game. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
She lights up the gym.
Kierra Thayer, an incoming freshman at Coupeville High School, had an immediate impact when she stepped on the basketball court last winter.
Making her debut in a Wolf uniform as an 8th grader, she threw down a game-high eight points against Langley in a tense middle school hoops rumble.
There was plenty more where that came from, with Thayer leading all CMS players in the season scoring stats, while also providing often-explosive defense while denying rivals access to the paint.
Now, as she rumbles into high school, she plans to add volleyball to her to-do list, before returning to the hardwood.
While Thayer is a promising talent in multiple sports, basketball owns her heart at the moment.
“My favorite sport would have to be basketball,” she said. “Because I love the competitive side of it; but I also love team bonding.”
Her goal for high school “would have to be to make varsity,” but Thayer is willing to put in the work to get there.
“If I don’t (make varsity) then (my goal) would have to be to just do my best,” she said.
“This is my court!” (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
Thayer embraces the athletic life and carries a positive attitude into everything she does.
“What I enjoy about being an athlete is the competitiveness, the team dynamic, and the traveling that goes along with it,” she said.
“I always love getting to meet new people and seeing what the competition is like.”
Away from sports Thayer enjoys baking and music, with science and math topping her classroom interests.
As she transitions from middle school to high school, she is already planning for the increased workload, both on the playing field and in the classroom.
“My strength that I have as an athlete would have to be that I pick up drills pretty easily,” Thayer said.
“But my weakness would have to be juggling schoolwork, along with the dedication requirement of being an athlete.”
Thayer is not alone, however, and is quick to praise those who are actively helping her reach her potential.
“There are two people that have impacted me,” Thayer said. “My mom and my science teacher, Ms. Berg.
“My mom always encourages me and taught me how to play the game of basketball correctly and how to take the game seriously while still having fun,” she added.
“Ms. Berg always pushed me to do better on my schoolwork, and she always saw potential in me and knew I could do better.”
Keeping both eyes on a bright future. (Photo courtesy Will Thayer)
