By Ken Hansard
Independence High School junior basketball player and student-athlete Kellen Lanning spoke to VYPE SPORTS in a recent interview.
VYPE SPORTS: What are your personal goals for the year?
Lanning: First and foremost, my goal is for our team to win the SEK, win sub-state and make the state tournament. I would also personally like to make first-team All-SEK and All-State.
VYPE SPORTS: What is your favorite athletic memory?
Lanning: When we beat Coffeyville on their home court by one. It was a really intense setting and a lot of fun.
VYPE SPORTS: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why?
Lanning: Probably Camdon Julian because he has taught me about how to be a better teammate and leader. Javen Colbert also had a big effect on me. His leadership was a great example.
VYPE SPORTS: What is your favorite part of being on this team?
Lanning: I love the bond and chemistry we share as a team. One of my favorite things is the atmosphere in the locker room before and after games.
VYPE SPORTS: What clubs or campus groups are you involved with and why?
Lanning: I am a member of the Independence High Fun Club. I am also a member of the Independence chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes – FCA.
VYPE SPORTS: What accolades (in any sport or activity) are you most proud of?
Lanning: I made the All-Tournament team at the Circle High Tournament two years in a row. I was named Honorable Mention All-SEK last year, and I was also named Honorable Mention All-SEK and Honorable Mention All-State in football.
VYPE SPORTS: What has your sport taught you that you use in your daily life?
Lanning: Basketball has taught me to be a better leader and to control the things that we can control, but let the other stuff go. It has taught me to strive to be the best possible version of myself.
VYPE SPORTS: What is the best advice that anyone has given you?
Lanning: Coach Smith tells us that there will always be people who will talk negatively, but that we can’t let that knock us off our game. We need to rise above that, focus on what is important, and just continue to play the game the way we should.
VYPE SPORTS: Who inspires you and why?
Lanning: My coaches – and especially Coach Nelson, who is the guy I can always go to when I need something – anywhere from late night phone calls to game day texts – he is always there for me.
VYPE SPORTS: Here is your chance to give a shoutout or say thank you to anyone you wish.
Lanning: I want to give a shout out to all of the fans who come out and support us – from the student section to family and friends, to the community as a whole. I want to thank my teammates and my coaches. I want to thank my parents and grandparents, who are my biggest supporters. And I’d like to give a special shout-out to my dad. I’d really like to thank my dad for always being there for me. After games he will go over film with me, or we will go over specific stat lines. I just want to thank him for helping me become the best player and person I can be.
