Thies Looks to Step Into Leadership Role for Sterling
As a junior last season for the Sterling Jets, Colby Thies was simply able to go out and do her job; score (leading the Jets with 14.3 points a game), rebound (snagging over eight caroms a game) and be a…
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Continue ReadingAs a junior last season for the Sterling Jets, Colby Thies was simply able to go out and do her job; score (leading the Jets with 14.3 points a game), rebound (snagging over eight caroms a game) and be a defensive presence. That effort was enough to help Sterling punch their ticket to the Class D2 state tournament for the first time in five years last spring, as Sterling finished 22-7 and garnering a fourth place finish by the end of the weekend. But, with the graduation of key senior leadership, Thies knows that more will be expected of her this season.
“Due to losing six seniors who all played a vital role for the team the past three years, we have a lot of young players with inexperience,” Thies said. “Even though they are young we have quite a few players who have a great work ethic and are aggressive who only strive to be their best. I have been very impressed with some of the players who have stepped up their leadership roles and improved their communication skills. Our team likes to have lots of fun on the court which I believe is going to help us a ton this year. Our goal for this season is to improve every game and really gain confidence in ourselves and our players.”
A strong, 6’2″ post player, Thies has worked dilligently this offseason to develop different aspects of her game to help make her a more well-rounded player, including developing intangibles to help fill the void of the loss of those six seniors.
“I am working on improving my outside shot so I can be both a threat in and out of the paint. I am also trying to learn to be a better rebounder and get faster on my feet so I can play more of 4 spot on defense. The last thing for me to improve on is my leadership. Due to always having those six seniors, I have never had to be that type of player, but now I am the only senior and hope that I can provide young players with confidence and let them know how much value they have to the team.”
Colby’s love for the game, like a lot of young players, started at a young age, and it started close to home.
“My mom is a HUGE basketball fan who played in college. She taught me and my brother at a young age, the love for the sport. My brother has always been my role model, and he was a very very good player until got hurt and quit playing. Ever since I was little my goal was to impress him and make in proud and basketball was the way that I could do that. We played countless hours together in the driveway and it was just a way that we could bond over something that we both were so passionate about.”
An outstanding student who also has participated in volleyball and track, Thies has qualified for state track and field two times. She is also involved in other activities at Sterling High School, like 4H, National Honor Society and Skills USA. But basketball is the one thing that is near and dear to her heart the most, and she wants to stay in the game, not only after high school, but after college as well.
“I really have no idea about where I want to go to college but I am 100% sure that I am going to play basketball. Quite a few colleges have contacted me but I am just trying to decide what fits me best. My major will be elementary education and communications, I will also receive my coaching endorsement.”