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Sophomore Kylee Beecher and the 5-0 Lady Flames host the 4-0 James Madison Dukes, tonight at 7 p.m.

This feature article appeared in the first edition of Flames Illustrated for the 2009-10 basketball season. Beecher has started all five games for the 5-0 Lady Flames, averaging 6.8 ppg and 3.0 rpg.

Sophomore post player Kylee Beecher finds herself in a unique situation, entering the 2009-10 basketball season. Despite having only one season of collegiate experience under her belt, she is already being counted on as a leader on a young, new-look Liberty women’s basketball team. However, Beecher appears well-prepared for this new, expanded role.

Last year, Beecher was a part of the Lady Flames’ 12th Big South Championship team in the last 13 seasons. In order to continue the program’s tradition of success in 2009-10 and beyond, the Roanoke, Va., native and her teammates will need to fill the void created by the graduation of seven seniors.

“Kylee will have a huge amount of challenges on her shoulders this season, due to the loss of the seniors from last year’s team,” remarked 11th-year head coach Carey Green. “However, she possesses a great deal of experience and a successful heritage, from both her family and her successful high school program. That will enable her to develop quickly into being an impact player for our team.”

Influenced by her father, Bobby, Beecher got her start on the basketball hardwood at a very young age. Bobby Beecher, who enjoyed a standout collegiate basketball career at Virginia Tech and later played professionally overseas, served as his daughter’s first coach. When she was five years old, Beecher joined a rec league team of all boys, and she has been dribbling, passing and shooting basketballs ever since.

The 6-4 Beecher really came into her own during her time at Hidden Valley High School. She helped the Titans reach the Virginia Group AA girls’ basketball state championship game three years in a row, and Hidden Valley claimed back-to-back state titles during Beecher’s junior and senior seasons.

Playing under coach Mike McGuire and alongside fellow NCAA Division I recruits Abby Oliver (Richmond) and Abby Redick (Virginia Tech) at Hidden Valley helped prepare Beecher for a successful future in the sport.

“Playing on my high school team felt a little bit like playing for a small college team,” recalled Beecher. “Coach McGuire brought our team almost up to a college level. Playing at that level prepared me mentally and gave me great experience from being in big situations.”

Beecher also caught the eye of numerous college coaches while at Hidden Valley, including the South Carolina staff. In fact, she initially verbally committed to the Gamecocks, before circumstances changed.

“I had committed to South Carolina,” Beecher explained. “Then, I got hurt and wasn’t playing up to my potential. South Carolina was not as happy with me as they had been previously, and the commitment level just wasn’t there for either of us anymore.

“So, Coach McGuire helped me get my name back out there in recruiting. Liberty had always been in my top five, and after a couple campus visits, I decided it was the best place for me.”

Green, who has always emphasized defense and rebounding as the cornerstones of his coaching philosophy, was excited to have Hidden Valley’s all-time leading rebounder join the Lady Flames.

“Kylee has a high basketball IQ, a great shooting touch and the ability to go either inside or outside,” characterized Green.

Refelecting on her college selection process in hindsight, Beecher can see that God was at work.

“As I look back, the whole process was in God’s hands,” the sport management major explained. “Liberty is where I’m supposed to be. I have received more assurance of that this past year, as I have gotten closer to God and developed a stronger relationship with Him.”

Once she arrived on campus, Beecher had to select a new uniform number, because the No. 40 she had worn in high school was occupied by Megan Frazee. Ironically, Beecher and Frazee served as roommates last year, and Beecher cherished the opportunity to get to know the current WNBA player better.

“Megan is a great role model,” said Beecher. “She leads by example, on and off the court. Any time I went to her for help, she gave me godly advice. Megan knows what it takes to be successful and always works hard. So, I wanted to work as hard as she does.”

Frazee helped Beecher enjoy a smooth transition to life at Liberty, and the freshman made immediate contributions for the Lady Flames. Beecher pulled down 10 rebounds on three occasions last season, as she helped Liberty rank No. 2 nationally in rebounding margin (+12.6). The Big South Freshman of the Week on Dec. 15, Beecher hauled in 4.5 rebounds per contest on the year. She then capped off a solid rookie campaign by becoming Liberty’s first member of the Big South All-Freshman team since Moriah Frazee in 2005-06.

Beecher’s favorite memory from her rookie season, though, happened on Dec. 30, 2008. That evening, she was able to play on the same Cassell Coliseum court where her father once played, in the championship game of the Hokie Hardwood Classic. Beecher collected four rebounds, as the Lady Flames claimed the tournament title with their first-ever win over Virginia Tech, 45-43.

“Winning Virginia Tech’s tournament and playing on the same court where my dad played was very special,” noted Beecher. “Also, getting to compete in the NCAA Tournament for the first time was neat, and provided a valuable experience.”

If Liberty is to return to the NCAA Tournament for the 13th time in 14 years in March, Beecher knows she will need to make major contributions.

“I have worked on being more aggressive on the court,” explained Beecher. “I have also been pushing myself in the weight room and in conditioning. It’s my time to step up, and it’s something that has to happen.

“I got close to all of the seniors last year and tried to get a few tips from the way they led our team. Now, I’m trying to be the same type of leader they were for me as a freshman.”

Beecher, who as aspirations of being a coach one day, may have an opportunity to pick up some practical experience this season, being one of the most experienced players on a team with only one senior. As long as Beecher is able to emulate the coaches and teachers who have influenced her own career, including Green, McGuire, Frazee and her father, Bobby, the Lady Flames should be in good hands.
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Paul Carmany is an assistant athletic communications director for Liberty University, who covers women’s basketball.