Team Spotlight: St. Louis Family Rockets 13U Elite Girls

The St. Louis Rockets 13U Elite girls team has enjoyed as much success this past year as any other team in the St. Louis metro area. Coach Matt Rockamann's talented group of young ladies have blended teamwork, fundamentals and a strong competitive streak into one formidable package.

 From the beginning of the fall to the end of summer, the Rockets have won at least a dozen tournaments at the local and regional levels. Some of their major highlights include the championships of the Cornhuskers Shooting Stars Fall Battle in Lincoln Nebraska in November; the Best of the Midwest Tournament in Lawrence, Kansas in March and the Battle of the Border in Kansas City in June. The Rockets have also played and defeated many teams in older age groups, including high school varsity age.

 "What makes this team so good is that they play together as a team," Rockamann said. "If someone has a good shot, she will make that extra pass to a teammate who has a great shot. They also have an unbelievable will to win. We've won some games that we probably shouldn't have because these girls believe in themselves."

 The Rockets are made up of girls who are entering their freshmen year in high school in the fall. Many of them are expected to play key roles on their varsity teams right away. Two players who really stand out are 5'11" forward Kenzie Yess (Nerinx Hall) and guard Emily Kyman (MICDS).

 Yess will enter Nerinx Hall, following in the footsteps of older sister Kirstie Yess, a four-year starter for the Markers who is now at Washington University. Kenzie Yess is a strong post player who is developing her all-around game on the perimeter. The 5'6" Kyman is an athletic guard who can score off the dribble and shoot the 3-pointer.

 "Emily is super athletic and good off the dribble," Rockamann said. "Kenzie has always been a dominant post player, but now she is learning to play outside as well."

 Making up the rest of the Rockets' guard corps are Torie Allen (Eureka), a talented point guard who runs the show and rarely makes mistakes; Paige Salthouse (Ursuline Academy), who Rockamann calls a "pest" on the court with her defensive tenacity; and Taylor Campbell (Rockwood Marquette), who has made huge strides in recent weeks.

 Up front, post player Steph Kelly (John Burroughs) is an excellent rebounder and the team's top shot blocker; Lexi Gorman (St. Joseph's) is an excellent athlete who usually plays the point of the team's full-court press; and Sara Swafford (Ursuline) who brings more size at 5'10".

 The Rockets will close out the summer this week when they begin play in the MAYB Nationals in Oklahoma. They finished in fourth place in the tournament last year as 12-year olds.

 The Rockets have many talented girls teams in different age groups, from fourth grade up to high school. For more information on the Rockets' program, you can visit their website at www.stlouisfamilyrockets.com.