Kylie Lorenzen’s transition from Rookie of the Year to her sophomore season at Southern New Hampshire University has been dynamic for the former Holliston all-star who dominated Tri Valley League basketball opponents.
The 6-foot forward is averaging 15.8 points and 7.6 rebounds a game, and her shooting percentages are more than respectable — 45 from the field; 84 from the free-throw line; and 36 percent from behind the three-point arc. As the Penmen’s season was nearing an end, Lorenzen was sixth in scoring in the Northeast-10 Conference, third in free-throw shooting and 12th in rebounding.
“The transition to my second year has gone smoothly,’’ said Lorenzen, who has been selected Player of the Week twice. “I’m more comfortable, because I know what to expect, and I’m also stronger and more physical. But, since my freshman year, our opponents know more about my game and are double-teaming me often. I’m no longer surprising anyone.’’
Lorenzen’s coach, Karen Pinkos, who called her power forward “the most athletic player I’ve coached in my 12 years at SNHU,’’ said that Lorenzen excels because “she’s driven in everything she does.’’
“Kylie works for everything she achieves,’’ Pinkos said. “She’s a good all-around athlete whose ceiling is high. She’s been able to make key adjustments, she handles pressure well, her perimeter shot has improved, along with her defense and free-throw percentage. It’s hard to ask her to do more, but we do, because we know she can. She sets high personal goals and understands that if she reaches them, she’s helping her team.’’
Lorenzen’s most prolific offensive outing came in a win against Felician of New Jersey, a small college in East Rutherford. She had 30 points. “It was exciting to score 30, but our victory over Stonehill was very rewarding,’’ Lorenzen emphasized. “Everyone on the team played well. We’ve lost some close games. but we’re staying positive about trying to qualify for tournament play.’’
SNHU, which had an 11-14 record at Local Town Pages deadline, still had a chance to earn a tourney berth in the conference.
While at Holliston, Lorenzen was the TVL’s MVP in basketball as a senior and she was MVP in track as a freshman. Her athletic excellence didn’t go unnoticed by Division 1 recruiters. Boston College, Dartmouth and the University of New Hampshire tried to recruit her. Setting four Holliston records (100, 200, 400 and the long jump), she competed in track at SNHU last year and intends to try it again.
“I ran relays and competed in the 100, 200, 400 and the long jump,’’ she said. “My best effort came in the long jump when I posted a personal best of 17, feet, 6 inches.’’
Basketball, however, is where she’s making an indelible impression. Named Rookie of the Year after a high-caliber frosh season, Lorenzen was humbled by her selection which featured 11.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. She shot 52.9 percent from the field (120-227) and 70.9 percent (78-110) from the free-throw line. And, she scored in double figures 17 times.
“It was a great honor and I was pleased because our conference is very tough,’’ she noted. “We play teams like Merrimack, Stonehill, Assumption, St. Anselm’s and Bentley. But, as nice as awards and weekly honors are, I don’t pay that much attention to them. What I’m enjoying in college is the bonding and the great relationships that develop. We went to Europe last summer and played three games in Italy and Spain. Coach Pinkos provides lots of opportunities on and off the court.’’
Lorenzen’s best effort in Europe was a 17-point game in Italy against a team in a women’s pro league.
A threat to score in the paint, Lorenzen has developed both a mid-range jumper and a three-point shot. Her ability to drive to the hoop remains a big part of her game along with getting her share of rebounds and put-backs. “If I’m facing a double-team, that means someone’s open, and that’s when I look to pass,’’ she emphasized. “If passing isn’t an option, then I drive and try to draw a foul.’’
Lorenzen is an environmental science major, and her numbers on the academic score sheet are also top-notch. She’s maintaining a 3.5 grade-point average, and she’s hoping to work in the area of preservation and conservation.
“My goals going forward are to keep my grades up, figure out my career for the future, improve and mature as a basketball player and to keep learning,’’ Lorenzen said. “I’ve been pleased with my play in college, but improvement comes with hard work and commitment. I’m hoping to become a first-team all-star in the NE-10.’’
While playing a variety of positions at Holliston, Lorenzen enjoyed a remarkable run. She scored 1,177 career points and averaged 22.1 her senior year, which also included an average of 17.3 rebounds. Her 5.6 steals, 3.6 assists and 1.9 blocks per game also were quality numbers. Those statistics have earned her, along with other Holliston stars, a place on a banner that lists 1,000-point scorers. That banner hasn’t been raised yet, but when all the participants are available, a ceremony will be held, possibly next season.
“I wouldn’t have wanted to grow up or play sports in any town but Holliston,’’ Lorenzen said. “It’s a place where people are kind and the community is close-knit. I loved going to school there and enjoyed the passion that was demonstrated in athletics.’’
Kylie Lorenzen has taken her game to a higher level and when she finishes her career at Southern New Hampshire, it should be one for the record books.
Issue Date:
March, 2017
Article Body:
Column: