Submitted by North Thurston Public Schools
Timberline High School Girls basketball Head Coach Tom Kelly is building for success again and feels he has a group of girls to reach bigger goals.
Kelly is in his 31st season as a coach and continues to build his teams on high energy, tempo, pressure and full throttle offensive. His resume includes multiple state titles including 2010 at River Ridge and 2018 at WF West. Currently Timberline (6-1, 3A SSC 4-1) is second place in the 3A SSC with its one loss to league leader Yelm.
The 2021 WIAA high school season is now in Phase Three, which has allowed the “high impact” sports like basketball, wrestling and gymnastics to compete during the spring months. These sports usually compete during winter months from November to March.
Kelly continues to enjoy coaching including the challenges he has had at Timberline. “We are in a tough league and we are a young team and the team is getting along great and we are trying to come together,” stated Kelly. “We have played well. We had no legs at Yelm early in the season and I’m looking forward to playing them June 1 at home.”
Timberline has one senior, Jordan Carter, two juniors and a group of seven underclassmen. “Our numbers have been down,” said Kelly. “Our program will be looking real good in the future. We will have more numbers and some great experiences this year to build off.”
For Kelly the grind, mentoring, success and challenges keep him fueled and help him to continue to make an impact on his players. “31 years, I’ve been really lucky,” he said.
The Blazers host Yelm Tuesday June 1 at home at 7 p.m.
