Follow the Leader

Lakeland girls’ basketball seems to have a new senior leader who guides the team through the season each year. Second-year Head Coach Tyrel Derrick’s new-look squad is headlined by 5’8 senior Lila Kiefer, one of the most talented players in the Inland Empire League. 

Kiefer plays with unmatched physicality and hustle and is not afraid to draw contact to help her team.

She leads the team in free throw attempts this season and has developed a habit of drawing fouls and playing aggressively on both sides of the ball. She nearly averages a double-double and picks up three steals and two assists per game. She is third in 4A with 8.4 rebounds per game.

“I feel like just learning to play without thinking too much and just taking what the defense gives me has really helped me,” Kiefer said. “Just being more confident with the ball. For me, it’s always been a challenge to learn to shoot the ball instead of playing passively.” 

Kiefer played varsity basketball all four years of high school, which she says was a beneficial learning experience. However, she is not yet sure if she wants to play college basketball. 

She says the seniors she played with as a freshman impacted her, which helps her be a leader now in her senior year. 

Though the Hawks (9-8, 2-2) have been unable to slay the 4A dragon in regular-season play, they enter districts as the #2 seed, hoping to earn a rematch against defending state champions, the Sandpoint Bulldogs. The Hawks have fully bought into this team and the culture that Coach Derrick has adopted. 

“I really enjoy this team, and how fast we are learning to play with each other, Kiefer said. “As a team, we are really good when we play together and share the ball.”

The Hawks will host the Moscow Bears in the first round of districts to determine who will face the Bulldogs in the district championship. 

“I feel like past years have been the same pattern of losing to Sandpoint in districts, so I’m thankful for a final opportunity to finally overcome Sandpoint and make it to state,” Kiefer said. “It’ll take great execution and doing the little things right every time.” 

Landree Simon is another offensive leader for the Hawks, who compliments Kiefer well. Kiefer has excellent chemistry with the team’s leading scorer, Simon and the team’s knockdown shooter, Payton Sterling. The Hawks’ offense moves the ball exceptionally well and doesn’t settle for contested shots often. 

“Lila is always good for a drive to the basket, giving us easy points. She is an all-around great player. She has the strength to power through defenses and always plays great defensively,” Sterling said. “She is good at using her strength as an edge to her play. Once she gets going, it’s hard to stop her.”

Kiefer plays a heavy role in the offense, setting screens and controlling the post. She consistently provides second-chance opportunities for the Hawks with her 2.5 offensive boards per game. She also shoots 30 percent from three. 

Kiefer’s older sister Addie, whom Lila played with on varsity for two years, is currently playing for the North Idaho College Cardinals. 

With only one regular season game remaining, the Hawks have performed above expectations at many different points this season and certainly have a good chance to upset Sandpoint and clinch a state bid. Derrick’s team will look to Kiefer for a strong performance, leading the Hawks into battle. 

“Lila leads by example,” Sterling said. “She does a great job just working hard and leading the Hawks through everything.”