Basketball has always been a family affair for Weslyn Kimberlin.
The Canyon del Oro senior point guard emphasizes her passion for the game through the support of her dad, CDO boys basketball coach Jon Kimberlin, and older sister, Brenna, who now attends classes at Northern Arizona.
Her growing commitment to the game made her a second-team Southern Arizona all-star last year, when she broke the single-season Class 4A state record with 252 assists.
Kimberlin and CDO won the 4A Sonoran Region championship last year and are going for their third straight region title this season.
The Star sat down with Kimberlin recently to get her thoughts on the upcoming season and life in a hoops family.
Q: Where do you think CDO will finish in the Sonoran Region this year?
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A: We do have some tough competition in our region with Foothills and Marana. I hope that we have good games back and forth every time we play them. I'm crossing my fingers. If we do all the right things and play tough defense and get rebounds, I think we have a good chance to take our region again.
Q: What is it like having your dad around during basketball season, and how has it changed since he took over the boys program last season?
A: It's like an extension of me is automatically there. … I think I was always tuned into his voice and it was important for us to be on the same page. … It's been a great growing experience not having him there and me being able to see the adjustments that need to be made without those other eyes. It's developed my game more quickly because I have had to do it on my own a little more this year.
Q: Is there anything special that you do as a family on basketball nights?
A: Through the week things are crazy, especially when Brenna was here, too. Before she left for NAU, we all went to get dinner, and the games are the most fun for us to talk about. Then we would watch video footage at home.
Q: What do you want to study after high school?
A: I know I want to stay in sports, but more working with people. I was actually looking at human performance, which is sports psychology and coaching. I hope to be a coach.
Q: If you were a coach, what advice would you give your team based on your experience as a player?
A: I have seen, too many times, players that let outside opinions that they think are impossible stop them and I don't believe that. I think that if there's something that you want and put in the work, you can achieve it. Follow your dreams, no matter what.
WATCH LIST
Gaby Ayon, Sr., Rio Rico
Nalani Barnes, Jr., Tucson
Amber Cordova, Jr., Palo Verde
Keara Dunshee, Jr., Catalina Foothills
Logan Hall, Sr., Sahuaro
Weslyn Kimberlin, Sr., Canyon del Oro
Steffani Liscum, Sr., Marana
Angela Lopez, Sr., Pueblo
Abyee Maracigan, Sr., Flowing Wells
Hannah McLeod, Jr., Pusch Ridge Christian
Anna Naumovitz, Sr., Salpointe Catholic
Azya Peoples, Sr., Flowing Wells
Tosha Rife, Sr., Sierra Vista Buena
Teresa Roman, Sr., Catalina
Adilene Villalobos, Sr., Sunnyside
PREDICTED REGION FINISH
5A Southern Region I
1. Salpointe Catholic; 2. Tucson; 3. Sierra Vista Buena; 4. Casa Grande
5A Southern Region II
1. Sunnyside; 2. Rincon/University; 3. Ironwood Ridge; 4. Mountain View
4A Kino Region
1. Flowing Wells; 2. Sahuaro; 3. Cienega; 4. Nogales; 5. Desert View; 6. Sabino
4A Sonoran Region
1. Canyon del Oro; 2. Catalina Foothills; 3. Marana; 4. Pueblo; 5. Cholla
4A Gila Region
1. Palo Verde; 2. Rio Rico; 3. Douglas; 4. Catalina; 5. Sahuarita; 6. Amphitheater; 7. Santa Rita
