Kinley Asp is unselfish. 

So when the point guard was 10 points away from a school record in the third quarter Saturday against Coronado, she had to change her mindset and stop passing the ball. 

From there, it was a team effort to help the Air Academy senior to a career-high and girls’ team-record 49 points, breaking the previous record of 46, held by Colorado State’s Caitlin Kramer. 

“All props go to my teammates and coaches,” Asp said. “They were extremely unselfish and were feeding me the ball. The coaches really advocated for me to get that record because they knew it was a goal for me.”

Asp is the only senior on a young Kadet team, and one of two returners from last season’s varsity team that was runner-up at state. The Boston College commit leads the team with 25.8 points per game, but it’s Asp’s guidance that has helped gain a 15-3 mark. 

“What makes her exceptional is her leadership qualities,” coach Phil Roiko said. “Almost everyone is gone from last year’s team, so she has been a leader since day one. Her expectations stay high; she never changes her expectations. She expects everyone to perform at their best level of play and holds everyone accountable to that.” 

However, a humble Asp has only praise for her teammates. 

“Every player has stepped up, and they are extremely hard workers,” Asp said. “So for me to be able to lead them, I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity. They make it easy on me; they work in and out of practice, great girls on and off the court. To play and lead them has been a blessing.”

The accomplishment Saturday added to Asp’s stacked resume that includes two state titles. She is ranked top five in the state in three categories, including No. 1 in free throws made with 108. 

“She inspires the team and leads by example,” Roiko said. “It’s never a day off with Kinley. She’s completely engaged, locked in. She hardly comes off the floor, so for her to play at the level she plays defensively and offensively says a lot about her. She often guards the best on the other team, and to do that and still score is pretty incredible. A lot of kids can’t do both … she’s a special kid.”

In three previous seasons, this week’s Gazette Preps Peak Performer scored 20 or more 12 times. This season, she’s reached 20 or more in 14 of 18 games. 

Part of Asp’s increase in scoring is a change from a passer and facilitator to primarily a shooter. 

“Last year, my role was more passing because we had an incredible post, Tatyonna (Brown) and Lydia (Flowers), who could shoot so well, as well as a bunch of other key players,” Asp said. “This year, my role has changed to looking to score any chance I get.” 

Asp grew up in a basketball household with her dad, John, having played at a Division II college, and her two brothers playing. She was introduced to the sport at a young age and has had a passion for it since. 

“I’ve always had a drive and competitive spirit, and basketball has always fueled that for me,” Asp said. “To come in and enjoy something and love something the way I love basketball … words can’t describe how grateful I am that dad planted the seed for my brothers and me.”

On Friday, Air Academy’s Senior Day, Asp has the chance to reach another milestone. With eight more assists, she would become one of few players in state history to notch 1,500 career points, over 500 rebounds, and 500 assists. 

Asp looks forward to capping her high school career on a high note, but most of all wants to stay present with her teammates. 

“I’m grateful for my teammates and how they’ve advocated for me,” Asp said. “Everyone wants each other to thrive and succeed. It’s easy to play on a team with players like that. I want to leave a legacy of working hard every day in a competitive spirit, but also be someone people can lean on in any type of way.”