Owasso’s new Lady Rams Basketball head coach profile: Kendall Standridge
By Ian Busking
Coach Standeridge taking a photo with her team before the game
Owasso’s Lady Rams Basketball team has been starting to piece together a very solid group over the past couple of years. The Rams fans, however, received some shocking, yet not surprising, news as Kendall Standridge was hired as the new head coach. Standridge has been a dedicated coach in not only track and cross country but also the freshman girls team. This is going to be a big change, but “Standy” is the perfect person for the job.
Coach Standridge has been waiting for this moment to come for a long time. Standy is beyond excited to step into the role of head coach.
Standy exclaims, “It is a dream come true. Having played basketball for Owasso in high school and coaching all different grade levels, my appreciation and love for the program has only grown.”
Standy currently pours lots of time and effort into the track and cross country team. Having to leave the sport after this year was the only con of moving into the new position. She is going to miss leading the girls team as she has gotten to mentor so many of them for their whole high school careers. Despite this, there are so many “pros” for the job.
Standy mentions, “Basketball has always been where I see myself continuing my professional career. The privilege and responsibility of leading this program is not lost on me, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be in the gym all year. So the biggest pro would be the fact I have the role now that puts me in the gym and getting to be around our young women playing basketball. Those ladies work hard and commit to the process over a long season and I’m ready to be with them full time.”
There are many different goals and achievements that Standy is going to attempt to accomplish next year as the new head coach.
Standy expresses, “I would like to create a team dynamic that makes people want to come play with us and be a part of what we’re building. Ideally, a quality becomes visible about our program that draws athletes to our team that want to play basketball. I know the character of the people in our program and I want to set them up to be influential and inclusive with others. I see this adding not only depth in numbers, but also strengthening the life lessons that are learned through being on a team with different personalities.”
With this playing out, there is no doubt that the Lady Rams are going to have very successful upcoming seasons. Standy is excited about many things to come over these next few years and beyond.
Standy encouraged, “Bringing home more state championships is definitely on the list. But beyond that I’m excited to welcome home former players and alumni to be a part of building the future. I know how much it means to younger athletes when older people pour into them. I genuinely love the game of basketball so the years to come excite me just for the fact that I get to be in the gym full time.”
Sadly, there aren’t any basketball games in the near future, but you can still support the other Rams in other sporting events that are in season. When the winter rolls back around, find the Lady Rams with Standy on the sidelines for some exciting games.