Lewiston graduate looking forward to competing in Jayhawk Conference

LEWISTON - The opportunity to compete in one of the premier junior college conferences led Lewiston graduate Kyle Knoche to continue his collegiate basketball career with Highland (Kan.) Community College.

Knoche recently signed a National Letter-of-Intent to play basketball with the Jayhawk Conference school.

“I'm excited that I get to play (in the Jayhawk Conference),” Knoche said. “I've always wanted to play the game at a high level, and that's the place to do it.”

Knoche said the conference is packed with great athletes.

“I'm going to get to play with and against some of these athletes, and that's going to be a lot of fun,” Knoche added.

Knoche considered many schools, including Southeast Community College-Beatrice, Hastings and Doane Colleges, Nebraska Wesleyan University and even Deane College in Franklin, Mass., as a football player. In the end, he felt the junior college atmosphere was the best selection.

“I really like the junior college atmosphere a lot,” Knoche said. “As for Highland, I really feel comfortable there, and it was the best decision for me on the whole.”

Knoche said he will eventually finish his collegiate studies at a four-year school.

“I'll definitely get to a four-year school and get my business degree,” Knoche said. “I'd like to play basketball there too.

“I just like to play the game.”

Knoche said Highland coach Mike Morley has told him that he will have the opportunity to make a contribution to the team right away.

“He said we're going to be running a lot of two point guard and two shooting guard sets,” Knoche said. “We're going to mix things up a little and have fun doing it.”

While Knoche acknowledges that he probably won't have the opportunity to shoot as often as he did at Lewiston, he said he's excited about his role at Highland.

“Coach likes my ability to shoot the ball and my knowledge of the game,” Knoche said. “I'm going to be focusing more on my passing and helping my team in any way possible in order for us to be successful.”

Knoche said Morley has taken the necessary steps to build a successful program.

“Highland hasn't been a great team traditionally, but we probably have the best recruiting class since he's been there,” Knoche said. “We're going to be playing Division II this year, but we still have a Division I schedule.

“Hopefully that will help us prepare to do well in regionals and maybe make the national tournament.”

Knoche said his current focus is to enter the fall semester already in shape and ready to compete, even though the season won't start until later in the year.

“I have a workout schedule and I'm shooting around almost everyday,” Knoche said. “I just run as much as I can, trying to stay in shape.”

Knoche said his favorite high school moments were found on the highest level as the Tigers advanced to state twice.

“Nobody was really talking about us making it the first time, and we didn't quite get it done the second time,” Knoche said. “But it was really great to accomplish the things we did and to play in that environment.”

Knoche said that sports competition has taught him several things, the most important being the importance of the team above the individual.

“It takes personal sacrifice to achieve success,” Knoche said. “No matter what happens to you personally, good or bad, you've got to work as a team to turn things around and help your team succeed.”