Nothing looks out of place for Kinley Asp to start the basketball season.

Asp’s jump shot looks fluid and her defense hasn’t wavered in the offseason. During a defensive drill where athletes needed to keep three players from scoring, Asp forced two turnovers and blocked a shot.

Even in practice, the junior remains a menace on both ends of the court for Air Academy. That’s correct, Asp is rocking blue, gray and white versus Colorado Springs Christian School’s colors this season.

“I’m excited! It’s a big change but I’m excited for the new atmosphere,” Asp said. “Now that I’ve transferred it’s been a great fit and we’re ready to play.”

Asp transferred last June from Colorado Springs Christian after two seasons with the Lions.

In mid-September, after months of what Asp called a “stressful period,” CHSSA allowed the junior’s transfer to Air Academy.

“She’s a great kid and we couldn’t have a more quality kid,” Kadets coach Phil Roiko said. “What makes her special is her character and how she makes everyone else around her better. She plays with such intensity and passion on both ends of the court. She’s not just a fantastic offensive player, but I think she’s a better defender.”

Alongside Grace Minihane, Asp led CSCS to a 52-2 record during the past two years, including a 27-0 season in 2023 to give the Lions their second consecutive 3A state championship.

Asp enters this season  as the No. 4-ranked player in Colorado’s Class of 2026, according to PrepGirlsHoop.com.

Though just two days have passed for the winter sports season, Kadets players understand their focus.

During last season’s 5A state playoffs, the Kadets entered their semifinal against Northfield 25-1 but lost 70-66 in overtime.

“That motivated me all through the summer,” Kadet guard Lydia Flowers said.

As Flowers heard the sentence, “moved forward from that loss,” she closed her eyes and said, “I don’t know about that” and chuckled at the suggestion.

The laughter didn’t come from the words being humorous to Flowers. For Flowers, this season is a revenge tour. One she hopes ends with the Kadets’ first girls basketball title since 2012.

“You want to move on and have a fresh start every year, but that’s also something that’s in the back of my mind every practice and every day,” Flowers said. “Whether I’m doing work on my own or with the team, I remember the path we took to get to (the semifinals) last year and the sting of getting so far and not making it where we wanted.”

Asp recognized how close the Kadets came to a title last season and hopes her success as an underclassman carries into this campaign.

“They had a phenomenal season last year and I’m here to keep that going and to get us to a state championship,” Asp said. “… I know they have high aspirations and big goals. We’re trying to keep our eye on the end goal and not get too cocky.”

Tatyonna Brown said she also thinks about last season’s semifinals loss and plans to use it as fuel.

Brown was the Kadets’ third-leading scorer in 2023 behind Caitlin Kramer and Flowers. The 6-foot-2 senior was also second in blocks (1.5 per game) and third in steals (1.3).

While Asp patrols the perimeter on defense, Brown said she’ll have her teammates’ back should anyone enter the paint.

“Kinley plays with such integrity and grit and I like to feed off that,” Brown said. “Our energies match well on defense and that can be a focal point for us this year. We’re at a point where we can train and get better this year and that’s what our focus is.”