Khylee Massey of 2A Northern Heights is one of the top small school players in the state this season. The Johnson County Community College signee is a four-year starter after helping her team to a 15-7 mark one season ago.
Massey, a 6-foot-0, senior, forward, has averaged in double-figure points all four years of high school. As a freshman, she averaged 12 points per game, 11 as a sophomore and 16 points per game last season. She was a second team all-state pick last season from Sports in Kansas after her team took sub-state runner-up. So far in 2019-2020, Massey is averaging 17.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg and three steals per contest while shooting 81% from the foul line.
Massey is a special player because of her versatility. She can play inside and out with her great length where she can play all the spots from point guard to center on her high school basketball team.
In addition to being an all-state pick on the basketball court, she is also a four year starter in volleyball, earning several all-league honors. She is also an all-state pick from Sports in Kansas in track and field as the state runner-up in discus last season. She also took fifth as a sophomore. Massey is also a member of Wheat State Elite, a basketball program ran by Dylan Evans featuring some of the top small school talent across all of Kansas.
Massey is also a model student athlete. She has a perfect 4.0 GPA at her high school where her favorite subjects are Science and Math. She could see herself going into Biochemistry in college.
Playing for Northern Heights is also very special for Massey. That’s because Khylee gets to play for her father, Lanny Massey, who is the head coach of the Northern Heights program with over 200 wins in his career. While her experience is different from most players with their coaches, Massey gives credit to her father for making her the player that she is today by the expectations that he has of her. Khylee also got to experience win No. 200 with him earlier this December as Lanny reached the milestone back on December 6th in a 61-48 win over Pomona-West Franklin HS. Massey has grown up around sports her entire life with her parents and multiple family members being college athletes. It’s something that has came natural to the small-town star.
Northern Heights (5-2) also has some expectations this year with five returning players that have had starting experience at one point or the other including Massey, Caleigh Smart, Emma Barnett, Kaley Boyce and Aleah Hines. They want to compete for a league title and potentially compete to go to a state tournament. They will have a solid sub-state that is headlined by Wabaunsee, who has been one of the most consistent 2A teams in recent memory and a team that beat Northern Heights earlier this season. NH is back in action this Tuesday as Massey and her squad take on Mission Valley on the road.
We caught up with the outstanding senior student athlete below in the latest Q&A of Faces in Kansas.
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This feature is powered by PT Associates of Emporia, proud to support Northern Heights Basketball.
This feature is powered by Wheat State Elite Basketball. Best of luck to the Massey’s this season! We are proud of you! WSE and Dylan Evans are proud supporters of high school girls basketball coverage with Sports in Kansas.
Q&A w/ Massey
How did you get involved in basketball and sports?
My parents are extremely active in sports. I started playing softball and basketball at the age of 4. I have always enjoyed playing multiple sports. Basketball has always been my favorite.
What are your goals this season?
I aspire to lead my team to the state tournament and to win another league title. I also want to continue improving my skills to prepare me for my college career.
Do you guys have a shot to make a run this year?
Yes we definitely have a shot at another league title. We also have a chance to attend the state tournament especially but we will have to compete with some solid teams and Wabaunsee. They have knocked us out of the tournament for the last 2 years. I feel that this year we have the best opportunity to reverse the roles if we are put together.
What makes you such a force as a player?
I am extremely versatile. I am able to play both inside and out depending on what my team needs. My overall knowledge of the game often leads me to play anywhere from point guard to center for my high school team.
What’s the atmosphere like to play for your school and town?
The overall atmosphere for my high school is good at times. I feel all of the students support each other well. We are a small consolidated school and our community support is limited. This is what makes the student bond stronger because if we don’t support each other nobody else will.
For anyone that hasn’t seen one of your games, why come to one?
We have a great student section that knows how to create a great game atmosphere. We have amazing teacher support as well. When these are combined with my team’s work ethic it makes games extremely fun to watch.
Who are other key players on your team?
Caleigh Smart
Favorite thing about Basketball?
I love the competition. There is nothing like playing on a Friday night surrounded by girls that support you. I love the sound of the net when the ball falls through and then to hear the student section roar with excitement.
Do you play any other sports, tell us about that, what other positions do you play?
Yes I play 3 other sports Volleyball – middle blocker /Softball shortstop and bat 1 spot/ Track – discus
Basketball I play anything from point guard to the center depending on what personnel is in the game
What is it like to play for your coach?
My experience is different to most athletes as my father is my coach. He expects more from me than anyone else and I don’t ever get away with anything. Many times in practice he is trying to portray something to the team and it becomes an – If he will yell at her like that what will he do to me situation. I love playing for my father and it has been a wonderful journey. I don’t always like the car ride home “What were you thinking” conversations; however, it is these high expectations from him that have made me the player I am today and I am so grateful.
What did you and the team do in the off-season to become better?
We have open gym sessions 2 days a week and we play together as a team in summer league. We also lift weights as a team in the summer and have conditioning before the season starts.
What interest are you seeing at the next level and what are your plans?
I have signed with Johnson County Community College. I am excited to join a program that shares the same desires I have to win. I would really like to help them win another national title.
Favorite thing to do when you aren’t playing sports?
I enjoy hanging out with friends and family. This often includes playing with my cat or going outdoors and shooting my bow or shotgun.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself working in a lab with my biochemistry degree.
Favorite subject in school, what type of student are you, GPA?
I enjoy math and science. I’d say I work really hard in the classroom to maintain my 4.0 GPA.
Who is your role model?
My mom. She always tells me to live life without regrets. She is a big part of why I am as competitive as I am. I don’t want to look back on what could have been. I want to work hard at everything I do just like my mom.
Best place to eat in your town or the surrounding area?
I would say any Mexican restaurant in Emporia is a solid choice. My top three are El Lorito, Salsa St, and Casa Ramos. All three have excellent food that has a different spin to it. It would be unfair to pick one over the other two.
One thing the average person wouldn’t know about you?
I really love animals and agriculture. I especially love that my school has a farm that lets me take care of chickens and steers. I named the largest chicken Chubs.
Anything else to add?
My family is full of college athletes. My grandfather played basketball at Hays, my father played basketball and football at Ottawa, my dad’s brother played basketball and track at Butler and then finished at KSU(track), my father’s other brother played basketball at Cowley and then finished at ESU. My mother played basketball and threw the discus at Washington State University and at ESU, my mom’s sister played basketball and did track Cloud Co and then finished with basketball at Missouri-Rolla and my mom’s other sister basketball at Cloud County. I only have one uncle who didn’t play basketball and he went to Hays for football.
