Waubonsie Valley’s Khaliah Reid gets it.
After Saturday night’s game, the 5-foot-5 senior guard did not focus on her 21-point performance for the Warriors in a 61-57 nonconference victory over East Aurora.
Reid took to Twitter afterward more excited about making it through the challenge of guarding East Aurora scoring star Mia Moore than her own exploits on offense.
“I wanted to be in the position to guard the best player and help my team out by getting the stops,” Reid said. “I usually like to guard the best player.”
Waubonsie coach Brett Love didn’t assign anyone specifically to guard Moore. He just knew he wanted to send double teams her way as often as possible.
It was Reid who demanded the challenge.
“That’s something she took upon herself,” Love said. “She said she was good to guard her. She stuck with it throughout the game. That’s leadership.”
Playing defense isn’t the most glamorous part of the game, but the Reid said that has always been in her DNA.
“I knew I wanted to be the best defender when I was growing up,” Reid said. “I hear that a lot from people just because defense isn’t always the best thing people think of.
“It’s fun getting the steals and the intensity and being able to be there and take charge.”
Her prowess forcing turnovers shows in the numbers. In addition to averaging 15.4 points, third behind Taylor Curry and Danyella Mporokoso, she leads the team with 3.6 steals.
“She’s athletic, No. 1,” Love said. “She’s a competitor. She doesn’t like to be in a position where she is doing something wrong. She takes things personally. She’s always had a knack for the ball. That’s one of the first things I recognized about her.
“She has a tendency to pick off the ball at the right time. She has a quick first step, and that allows her to get those steals. She’s just a special talent. Everybody can’t do that.”
Reid is in her first season at Waubonsie (15-5, 3-3) after transferring from Metea Valley. She fit right into what Love’s plan for the team was this season.
Love realized the Warriors had a lack of size, so the ability to force turnovers and play fast was his plan — and Reid quickly emerged as a standout on both ends of the court.
“It’s a huge piece and a huge part of what we do,” Love said. “Defensively, she’s one of the key players in what we do.”
Reid has been a big part of Waubonsie’s strong showing this winter. Love is happy with how things have gone but thinks the Warriors have another gear.
“I think we have more to go,” Love said. “I think we can grow a little bit more. We have learned a lot through our losses, but I don’t think we’ve peaked yet.
“It’s always my goal to peak toward the end of the season. I think we’re getting there.”
Reid said playing for the Warriors this season is preparing her for life after basketball.
“I really like it here,” Reid said. “The pace of the game is really fast. Being here is helping me prepare for the next level. (Love) tells me what I need to know.
“I like the fast pace because that’s how they play at the next level.”
While Reid hasn’t committed to a college yet, she said that process is nearing its completion.
“I’m still looking but I should have a decision really soon,” Reid said. “It’s been going on a really long time. I’m happy to be near the end of it.
“This is one of the biggest decisions you make in your life.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.