Upper Merion standout shooting guard Kennedy Coles announced her commitment to play Division I basketball at the University of Niagara on August 7th, via her social media. Coles, heading into her senior season, is looking to make this her best season yet. When the phone call was made, the scenery was not what it usually is for such an important call. Coles was nearing the end of her shift at Foot Locker and made her way into a storage room in the back. 

“It was really surreal. It was a really fun conversation with head coach Jada Pierce. She was very open to me letting my family know, but I wanted to wait until the end of my shift, when I got to meet with my family. It was really fun,” said Coles.

In over four decades, Upper Merion has not had someone go Division I in Women’s Basketball. The last to do it was Lisa Salters, graduating in 1984. So not only was history made, Coles also proved a point and never stopped believing in herself. 

Over this past summer, Coles did not seem to have eyes on a specific university. That was until she played in the Hoop Group Showcase League in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Niagara assistant coach Lester Harbin liked what he saw from the senior guard, then forwarded all the information he gathered over to Purple Eagles head coach Jada Pierce. 

Marist was another school that was interested, but an offer never materialized. They had shown interest since her sophomore year. Upper Merion lost to Phoenixville in the first round of the PAC playoffs, 56-43, in a game in which Coles scored a team-high 21 points. However, despite a strong performance on the court, the interest in the Red Foxes slowly died and faded away. 

It is possible that Coles can still add one more piece to her shining resume. She has the opportunity to reach 1,000 points in her high school career. The last to do that in Upper Merion history was Jordan Wilson in 2018. The question was sparked when talking to Coles about how she would be able to reach that goal.

“Currently working out every day, making sure I am in the gym, getting as much time as I can by just working on my shot, creating space for myself and for my teammates, so I can get a wide open shot.” 

The Lady Vikings guard is looking forward to her senior season and everything that will come with it.