Dynamic Duos: Thomas and Kissinger Look to Add More Hardware to St. Cecelia’s Trophy Case
Hastings St. Cecelia had a dream season last year, going 26-1 and capping off their season with a state championship, defeating traditional power Crofton 63-45 in the title game. However, two of the main cogs in the Hawkette’s machine, Victoria…
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Continue ReadingHastings St. Cecelia had a dream season last year, going 26-1 and capping off their season with a state championship, defeating traditional power Crofton 63-45 in the title game. However, two of the main cogs in the Hawkette’s machine, Victoria Thomas and Bailey Kissinger, want more.
“We are returning a handful of girls from the state championship team. I think our team will need time to settle in and replace the seniors we lost, but I know everyone will work hard and accomplish this,” Thomas says. “My personal goals are to enjoy my senior year and play my role on the team, but our team goal is to get back to state and compete for another championship.”
“I am very, very excited for the upcoming season. As a team, our goal is to get back to Lincoln and play in Pinnacle Bank Arena for another state championship,” Kissinger concurred.
This partnership goes back a long time, which it often does in a small town.
“Tori and I started playing together when we were very young,” Kissinger said. “Tori was in fourth grade and I was in second grade. We played together on the St. Cecelia elementary called the J-Hawks. It was planned that we play together.”
“Bailey’s sister Natalie is in my grade, so Bailey played up with our St. Cecelia elementary team,” Thomas agreed. “I think playing together for so long has enabled us to create a good dynamic between each other.”
Kissinger and Thomas do fit together well, and their head coach, Greg Berndt, does all he can to put his star players in the right spots at the right time.
“Coach Berndt lets us run 5-out alot so that helps space the floor, which allows us to post up Tori and for me to drive. It also allows our shooters to spot up and be shot ready. Our 5-out offense allows all of us as players to do what we are good at because the floor is so spaced,” Kissinger said.
Kissinger, one of the most sought after sophomores in the state, allows for Thomas to play to her strengths more easily than it would be with other players, and she knows it.
“Bailey has really good ball sense, so she’s able to read my defender well, allowing me to have open shots or a pass back to her for a three. I think we have the same intensity when playing, so we know we need each other to succeed,” Thomas says about her teammate.
The feeling is mutual for Kissinger.
“I like playing with Tori because I know she will always play hard and tough. We compliment each others skills sets because we are able to space the floor so well. When I drive, Tori is there for the dish. When Tori gets doubled in the post, she can kick out to me or my other teammates for a three.”
It will be a long journey to get back to Lincoln, one filled with challenges, both with individuals and teams alike.
“I think Liv Hollenbeck (Lincoln Christian) and Kalynn Meyer (Superior) will be tough to defend personally,” Thomas said. “Lincoln Christian and Grand Island Northwest are two teams we know will be tough.”
“Lincoln Christian and Grand Island Northwest are two very good and tough teams that we will play this year,” agreed Kissinger. “Both teams have really good players and are well coached.”
Without a doubt, Hastings St. Cecelia and their dynamic duo of Victoria Thomas and Bailey Kissinger will be a handful for those teams to handle as well.