Zoe Kelso, Alleman

From Argus- Dispatch

By Caleb Horvath, sports@qconline.com

Players can be motivated, and coaches can motivate in a variety of ways. One way is through the media, which Alleman girls' basketball coach Jay Hatch used to show his frontcourt players — particularly 6-foot junior center Zoe Kelso — that they may be getting disrespected. Last week, The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus ran a preview capsule of the Alleman at United Township game with a line saying neither team "had dominating post players." After being shown the article, Kelso decided to prove the media wrong, scoring 16 points and pulling down a game-high seven rebounds in a huge Western Big 6 Conference 47-43 road win over the Panthers. Kelso then capped off the week with a similar 15-point, seven board-outing in a 70-51 victory over Riverdale. Kelso's efforts have helped lead the Pioneers to a 7-4 start and 2-1 in the WB6, and for her efforts, she is this week's Dispatch/Argus Metro Pacesetter. "I don't think (Coach Hatch) did it to rile us up," Kelso said of showing the team the article. "It just motivated us to show that we do have good post players. We want people to notice that we do." Alleman, who suffered its first losing season since 1998 and first non-20 win season in a decade last year, came into this season with a big chip on its shoulder. While the team has nine seniors filling their roles nicely in the first third of the year, it's been the inside-outside combo of sophomore guard Cierra Davis and Kelso that has been instrumental in the early success. "I do think there's a different mindset (this year). We didn't want to go through that type of season again this year so there's been a lot more effort put in," Kelso said. "We're really just starting to click together. The offense is getting familiar to us. We are much more disciplined this year." Playing four-time defending conference champion Moline and the up-and-coming Panthers in consecutive weeks, many observers wouldn't have given the Pioneers much of a chance of winning either game, let alone both. Yet, Alleman proved the doubters wrong once again, defeating both with Kelso contributing a combined 26 points and 14 rebounds in the two contests. "It definitely means a lot. It felt great to be able to beat (Moline)," Kelso said. "And going into the UT game, we knew it was a big conference game, and we wanted to outdo ourselves, play tough defense, and we did." Another perk of the early success? It just may come in the form of saved money on nail polish, according to Kelso. "Usually I won't change my nail polish until we lose," Kelso said. "So I'll say before games 'Ladies, I'm not changing my nail polish tonight' — and if we win, I don't have to." Zoe Kelso — Favorite athlete: "My dad, Calvin" — Favorite food: Fettucini alfredo — Favorite school subject: English with Mrs. Phelps — Favorite music: Everything that Drake does — Favorite movie: "White Chicks" — Parents: Calvin and Bridget Kelso, Rock Island