Emilee Kelly is not very tall.
She also does not say much.
But the senior forward has been an absolute warrior for the Nevada girls basketball team in 2025-2026.
Kelly has been a varsity girls basketball player for four years at Nevada. She started off in the post, moved to the wing last year, and then switched back to the post this season.
Kelly broke out as a standout for Nevada last season, averaging 9.2 points and 4.9 rebounds for a Cub team that finished 10-13. Even though she is listed at just 5-5, Kelly moved back to the post for her senior season.
She has responded by averaging 13.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.3 steals for a Nevada team that is 10-11 following a 41-36 home loss to Iowa Falls-Alden on Feb. 9.
“Emilee has just been great over these last four years,” said Nevada coach Jordan Bentley. “She’s put in a lot of time over these last four years developing her game.”
Kelly has embraced her role as the team’s go-to scorer this season.
Though she is undersized, Kelly has tremendous energy, a quick burst, and she is strong off the dribble thanks to her time playing on the perimeter. That makes her tough for opposing teams to deal with.
“As long as I give it all my effort, that’s all I can do,” Kelly said. “If I’m not able to do it on my own, I try and make opportunities that give other people opportunities to score. Regaining my post skills has also helped.”
Kelly’s high motor and refusal to give up on a play inspire her teammates.
“She can change a game,” said Nevada guard Jorie Hillman. “When we’re in a close game she’ll finish shots, and if she doesn’t, she’s on the free-throw line.”
Even though she is not much of a talker, Kelly has also become an inspirational leader this year as the team’s lone senior.
“Emilee stuck with it,” Bentley said. “It means a lot for younger kids to see that you can stick with things. It’s good for the state of girls basketball that you had a senior who has stayed out and is now your leader on the floor. A good representation of our program.”
When Kelly does talk, her teammates listen.
“She knows what she’s doing,” Hillman said. “She directs us when we have gray areas where we don’t know what to do. She’s always telling us ‘Hey, I’m open on the block, or hey, take that shot next time.’ It’s definitely something we need.”
Hillman loves playing alongside Kelly. She wants to make the most of their few remaining games together.
“I definitely want to build more chemistry,” Hillman said. “I think it’s good when we have a two-man game. We can get in and out.”
Kelly has a chance to lead Nevada to a winning record. The Cubs have not had a winning season since the year before Kelly joined the varsity, falling just short the last three years with an 11-11 during mark her freshman year and a 10-13 showing in each of the past two seasons.
To accomplish that goal, the Nevada is going to have to win a couple of games during Class 4A regional play, which starts next week. Kelly plans to do all she can to make that happen.
“I want to play as a team and work as hard as we can,” Kelly said. “Hopefully finish on a high note.”
Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Emilee Kelly leads by example for the Nevada girls basketball team
Reporting by Joe Randleman, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
