Knox Pages will select one student athlete to be recognized as the Park National Bank Athlete of the Month during the 2023-24 school year. Nominations for Athlete of the Month are accepted from Athletic Directors and Coaches, but are ultimately chosen by Knox Pages and are based on the student’s exceptional athletic performance, effective teamwork and achievement in their communities. Park National Bank is proud to support this initiative and is giving the athletic department of each school $1,000 in honor of each athlete chosen.
CENTERBURG – Kayla Larimore has another year to break that glass ceiling placed over her team 12 years ago.
The Centerburg Trojans haven’t won a district championship since 2012. Last week they had their most recent big chance, but they had to overcome the defending Division III state champs from Africentric.
An early run by the Nubians was too much to overcome. But, like the leader she is, Larimore held her head high throughout the game, in the locker room, and on the bus ride home.
Larimore, who was recently named KMAC Player of the Year, earned another accolade as she is the Park National Bank Athlete of the Month for February.
Anyone who knows the junior, however, could tell you she would gladly trade these awards in for greater success for Centerburg.
“This is really great,” Larimore said when she learned of the award. “But we haven’t won (a district title) in awhile. I’d like to get that.”
Larimore led all of Knox County with a 19.7 points per game average. She is also one of the team’s top rebounders, collecting 10 in Thursday’s loss to Africentric.
“I’ve changed from freshman year to now,” she said. “If I don’t have a high-scoring game, I try to do something on the defensive end. I’ll go and get rebounds and the hustle plays and things like that.
“But it’s really nice to score, because that’s what everyone looks at, is the scoring.”
Larimore picked up her first basketball at the age of four. From the time she dribbled for the first time, she loved the game.
For a few years, softball took some of her time and attention as well. But, by the age of 11, Larimore decided that the fast pace of basketball was too alluring.
“I quit softball so I could do AAU (basketball) and I spent my time shooting, lifting, running – all to be in shape for basketball,” Larimore said.
In high school, Larimore opted to pick up cross-country, which she said helps her not only physically but mentally.
“Cross-country is really a mental sport,” Larimore said. “It really helps in basketball.”
Before each practice, Larimore tries to be the first player in the gym. She estimated she attempts about 200 shots before practice even starts.
After practice, she continues to hang around, working on moves or taking more shots.
Once the game starts, Larimore appears to be both the most intense and most relaxed player on the court. Her cool demeanor gives opponents the instant impression that she knows where everyone on the court is going.
This is especially true against Cardington, the school that has emerged as Centerburg’s biggest rival over the past few years as the two teams exchange KMAC championships.
“We have a strong rivalry with (Cardington),” Larimore said. “We have to go in and play, because they have good players on their team.”
Now that the season is over, Larimore has a rare opportunity to take time off. There are no travel teams playing right now, and cross-country doesn’t get underway until the summer.
So, like many young people in Knox County, she’ll take some time deer hunting and fishing. Larimore also enjoys journaling.
Larimore is hoping to earn a basketball scholarship to attend college. She plans to major in something involving business management and hopes to become an athletic scout.
For Larimore, it’s all about doing what you want to do.
“Follow your heart,” Larimore said would be her advice for young athletes. “You don’t want to regret something in the end. Do something so you won’t regret. I don’t regret making decisions like going from softball to basketball.
“And if you really work at it, you’ll see some great results.”
