New woman in charge of Lakin basketball (Audio)

Lakin, Kan (westernkansasnews.com)-Sometimes the best person is right in front of your face.

For Lakin High School Athletic Director Kim Loman, the decision to hire former Garden City high school player and assistant Marisela Rodriguez as their next girls basketball coach was a no brainer.

“Coach Rodriguez came highly recommended by Nate Schmidt (boys basketball coach),” Loman said. “He knew her and suggested that we hire her.”

Schmidt’s helpful insight landed the Lady Broncs their coach of the future.

“If anyone knows basketball in Western Kansas they know Marisela,” he said.

Rodriguez should have no problem holding her own.

“At first I was freaking out saying do I know what I’m doing,” she said. “But I know I have a great support system behind me.”

After a standout career at Garden City High School, Rodriguez played two years at Garden City Community College where she was a two-time All-Jayhawk West Selection.

Following a sensational sophomore season in which she averaged 13 points per game, Rodriguez signed to play at the University of Georgia. But a knee injury derailed her playing career. She finished out her time in Athens as a student assistant.

This will be Rodriguez’s first head-coaching job after spending one year as an assistant under Garden City head man David Upton. Mandy Michaelis, wife of former Lakin girls Head Coach Shawn Michaelis will serve as an assistant to Rodriguez.

Marisela Rodriguez