Kianna Gray was voted Suffolk News-Herald Player of the Week after averaging 20 points in two wins for the Lady Cavs in the Boo Williams Holiday Tournament.

The young Lakeland High School girls’ basketball team has been among some of the more surprising teams during the 2019-2020 season. After not even winning five games last season, the Lady Cavs surpassed that total in the first month this season. Over the holiday break, Lakeland competed in the Boo Williams Holiday Tournament, and they finished runners-up in their bracket. Gray averaged 20 points in two wins for Lakeland and was selected to the All-Tournament team. In a win over Green Run High School, she went for 21 points, and in a win against Jamestown High School, she scored 19.

“I feel like I played really well that weekend,” Gray said. “My offense and defense were pretty good, and I was honored to be chosen for the All-Tournament team.”

Gray feels the season has been great for Lakeland. Gray feels like the Lady Cavs (7-3) have shown they aren’t the same old Lakeland team. With as young as the team is, the future even looks bright beyond this season.

“I think we are showing people we aren’t the same old Lakeland team anymore,” Gray said. “We have a wonderful combination of girls, and I really am proud of what we are accomplishing, especially because we are so young.”

Gray is a freshman and has been able to transition to the varsity level seamlessly. She admitted that she wasn’t sure how she would handle the different level of play or how she would fit in with her teammates, but she works hard to take advantage of every opportunity she gets to help the team. She wanted to show she could be productive and not a liability on the court for her team. As a freshman on a varsity, mistakes are bound to happen, but Gray does a good job of not making the same ones twice on the floor. She always sees each one as a lesson.

“I just try to keep my head in the game and try to make the most of every second I get on the court,” Gray said. “I’m just happy to help my team, whether it’s defense or scoring. I’m still young, so I have a lot to learn, but I’m looking forward to the journey.”

Her biggest motivation comes from her family. Her parents have always supported her, and she is appreciative of that. Gray likes to watch NBA All-Star Klay Thompson and takes the things she watches and adds them to her game. She likes how Thompson plays on the defensive end and how he brings that same type of aggressiveness to the offensive end as well.

As the season goes on, a young Lady Cavs team filled with freshmen and sophomores looks to get better with each game they play. Gray is excited to see how the journey finishes for the Lady Cavs.