It seemed destined that Kayle Lammle would one day play for the RDP Queens basketball team.
The Three Hills native is following in her family’s footsteps.
Her mom, Jody Long, played volleyball at RDC in the 1993-94 season while her grandmother, Barbara Brosseau, played basketball in the early days of the college.
“It runs in the family,” said Lammle while attending the Queens ID camp Saturday.
She returned Sunday morning and signed with the Queens.
“It’s an hour from home, so it’s a good fit,” she said.
Kayle talked with Queens head coach Avery Harrison prior to last season, but it “just didn’t work out.
“I had talked with Lakeland a lot earlier and signed my papers with them prior to talking with Avery,” explained the five-foot-five guard.
Lammle’s season with Lakeland had its ups and downs.
She was the only rookie on the team and played close to 10 minutes a game, but the team also folded in the second half once their coach and the college had their differences.
“I was very thankful I got to play,” she said. “I was the only rookie but there were a couple of injuries in the preseason so I got to play. Otherwise, I probably would have redshirted.
“Other than that, I was super disappointed once we dismantled. I was four hours from home and not having basketball, which is a big part of who I am, I was homesick, was a bit lost.”
But this year is already looking up for her.
“I know a couple of the girls on the team and everyone is super nice and welcoming. They seem to have really good chemistry and I’m beyond excited to be here.”
Kayle has had a connection with Harrison prior to last season.
“I played club three years ago in Olds and Avery was my coach, so I know him and he’s great,” she said.
Kayle played three years in Three Hills, attending the provincials each year and winning silver in her Grade 12 season. She also played club basketball in Red Deer the past two years.
Besides basketball Kayle is excited to get into the Bachelor of Education program along with her sister.
“RDP is a great school with a great education program, which I’m planning on taking,” she said.
Harrison feels Kayle will fit in nicely.
“For a young player, she has a lot of poise, she’s not rushed and does things in a timely manner.”
Harrison admits that when he first saw her, he wasn’t sure what to think.
“Initially, I was concerned that she was a bit undersized and not overly fast, but she has a great understanding of the game, and that can make up for a lot of other things, and that’s what she’s done.”
Lammle does see the floor well and drives the basket despite giving up some size.
“I would say that’s a major part of my game and I’m working on my shooting,” she said.
The Queens look to be strong at guard next season, especially with Jorgia Hicks, Mia Cunningham, Avery Stypula, Tyla Hammermaster-Phillips and possibly Zoey Longman all returning.
Harrison is close to signing guard Brinley Van Brussen from LCI.
“She really sees the floor well and makes good decisions,” said Harrison. “You can see she had really good coaching.”
The Queens will be strong at guard but that’s fine with Harrison.
“We’ll be guard heavy, like most teams in Canada. But you can win nationals with a lot of strong guards.”
Harrison liked what he saw at the ID camp.
“It was a good turnout, a good range of talent at different positions,” he said. “I’m going to carry a larger roster next season so we have a lot of spots open.”
The one area Harrison and the Queens need to fill is up front, especially with only Salome Nuako returning.
Nuako has the potential to be an all-star but will need help inside.
“I do like some of our size coming in,” said Harrison, who signed six-foot-two Selena Maquire from Bassano and five-foot-10 Mackenzie Wells of Standoff, who is attending Penn State Lehigh Valley.
As well five-foot-eight Kira Main of Sylvan Lake, who impressed Saturday, has committed.
Five-foot-11 Serena Cleary of Sylvan Lake also impressed, but is in Grade 11.
Harrison indicated he has a line on several taller players.
“We have seven or eight players we’ve been talking with and you hope to get one or two of them,” he said. “But until they’re signed and here you can’t count on them.”
Harrison does have a couple of strong connections in the States and is looking to fill in his import roster.
“Those connections are great to have,” he said.
Outside of several impressive rookies at the ID camp, Harrison was pleased with what he saw from his veterans.
“I always tell them they never realize how much they’ve improved until the ID camp and they go up against players coming out of high school,” he said.
“You could see that today.
“They looked good and you could see how much they’ve improved since the beginning of last year.”
Danny Rode is a retired Advocate reporter and member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame who can be reached at danrode@shaw.ca
