Royal Vision Podcast

Season 1, Episode 6 – Kilah Dandridge: The Mindset of a Champion

• Coach Matthew • Season 1 • Episode 6

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In Season 1, Episode 6 of The Royal Vision Podcast, Coach Matthew sits down with Kilah Dandridge, a powerhouse in women’s basketball. Kilah shares her journey of overcoming obstacles, breaking barriers, and building a winning mindset. She dives into the mental strategies that fuel her success, the challenges of being a female athlete, and the resilience needed to rise above.

🔥 Don’t miss this episode filled with insight, motivation, and game-changing wisdom! 👑🏀

Kilah Dandridge 

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Coach Matthew:

Welcome to the Kingdom Guys. This is episode six of Royal Vision Podcast. I'm your host, coach Matthew. We got a really special guest today. She's a basketball player. She's a combo guard playing for Spring Mills High School. She plays with the West Virginia Thunder, select 40. She's been competing at a high level for almost four years. Originally from Germantown, Maryland, she'll be attending West Virginia Westland on a full athletic scholarship. In her long list of accolades, she scored over a thousand points in her high school career, over 400 rebounds. She's a two time epac, first team member, a two time journals girls basketball player of the year. She's made Allstate second team and first team, and she made it on the all tournament team. So without further ado, let me introduce you guys. Kyla Dandridge we go. What's up? What's up? Okay. How you feeling? Good. Good. Alright, let's go ahead and get started. You're a basketball player. What initially drew you to basketball?

Kilah Dandridge:

My, my older sister playing, growing up, watching her go into her high school games. Middle school games. And then also watching LeBron growing up too.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah. And then, so how long have you been playing basketball?

Kilah Dandridge:

Probably since like first grade, I would say.

Coach Matthew:

Okay. Was there any other sport that kind of caught your eye before that or has it always been basketball?

Kilah Dandridge:

It's just always been basketball.

Coach Matthew:

And so you say you like LeBron. What is it about LeBron that like stands out to you?

Kilah Dandridge:

Just how he plays on the court, his offense, his defense, his motor how he keeps everybody involved. And he also goes and gets his own shots when he knows he has to.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah. Do you feel like you try to model your game after him at all?

Kilah Dandridge:

Just a little bit.

Coach Matthew:

Just a little bit. What about kd, do you have any love for KD or is it strictly LeBron?

Kilah Dandridge:

It's just like strictly

Coach Matthew:

LeBron. Just strictly LeBron. So were there moments in your journey where you felt underestimated and how did you feel like you handled that?

Kilah Dandridge:

Probably a moment where I felt underestimated probably was maybe like last year, 11th grade going into a new school, people not knowing who I really am like that.

Speaker 3:

Yeah.

Kilah Dandridge:

I overcame that by just going out there and just showing what what I could do on the court

Coach Matthew:

for sure. Was is there like outside talk going on or was it like, like kinda walk me through the experience

Kilah Dandridge:

of playing at gritty?

Coach Matthew:

Yeah, just the, where you felt like underestimated what, was there anything major that stuck out to you?

Kilah Dandridge:

I don't, no, I dunno. That I can, not that I can think of.

Coach Matthew:

Okay. So being a female athlete, have you ever faced challenges or biases that shaped how you approach the game?

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah. People, first people think'cause I'm a girl, I can't do as much as like the guys do. But I wouldn't say that I think we're just as capable. I'm just as capable. The only thing is that I just can't dunk.

Coach Matthew:

You just can't dunk. Yeah. That's true. Have you ever faced have you ever felt like moments where you felt pressured to like, prove yourself? Or have you just been

Kilah Dandridge:

I don't really, I don't really think about that. Try to look at it that way. I just try to go out there and just play my game.

Coach Matthew:

But you play against the guys don't you

Kilah Dandridge:

sometimes. And

Coach Matthew:

how does, how do you feel like that to improve your game?

Kilah Dandridge:

A lot more toughness. Especially playing against them. They're. They're gonna be stronger. Yeah. So like playing against kids that are stronger also helps, like when I'm attacking the basket, yeah. I can handle the ball better with going up because I have that strength to get through them.

Coach Matthew:

Is there any player, like male player that you've played against specifically that you feel like really improved your game?

Kilah Dandridge:

There was this one kid I used to play with, like outside. At at my house. He was really good. So like playing against him, like help, help shape me for basketball too. Yeah. Because it had to help. I had to help, I had to do better on defense. Yeah. And had to learn how to get by him on offense.

Coach Matthew:

For sure. And like your personal identity, how do you feel like that's evolved alongside your career in basketball?

Kilah Dandridge:

I think it's evolved a lot. I think basketball has also helped me in many different ways.

Coach Matthew:

Would you say it's made you more confident off the court?

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah. More confident In what ways? In

Coach Matthew:

myself. What ways has it made you more confident?

Kilah Dandridge:

Just helped me believe in myself a lot more.

Coach Matthew:

Did you used to not believe in yourself a lot?

Kilah Dandridge:

Not really, no.

Coach Matthew:

What kind of stemmed from that? Where does that stem from?

Kilah Dandridge:

I think it was just like my, I wasn't in the right mindset all the time. So I think just like when I would have a bad game or something, I just would in my head I would just think I'm not that good. But as I've gotten older, I've just kept a positive mindset and everybody has bad games, so I just I just let it just go one ear out the other.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah. For sure. Some, most of the time you just. You have to, you gotta build yourself up. And then do you feel like you've made, you've definitely made sacrifices in your sport. How do you feel like those have shaped you and, built resilience?

Kilah Dandridge:

I think it's shaped me in a good way. Like I, with the sacrifices for my mom, like she's had to sacrifice a lot for me to be able to get where I am today with money and traveling. But I would say it's shaped me into shaped me into a good person.

Coach Matthew:

Like somebody who just make, not necessarily makes good decisions, but it's just a good person to other people. Yeah. They just taught you life lessons and whatnot. Yeah. And you talk about traveling. You play a u, like, where's the top three places you've ever traveled,

Kilah Dandridge:

say Vegas. Kentucky and Atlanta. Atlanta.

Coach Matthew:

Which one of those three was your favorite?

Kilah Dandridge:

I would have to say Kentucky. With all the different teams. Smoke, like all the different teams that you got to see out there play and all the courts.

Coach Matthew:

How many chords were there?

Kilah Dandridge:

60 plus.

Coach Matthew:

So for real. And so what was the competition like out there? Like it must've been tough. Yeah. Playing 60 plus teams,

Kilah Dandridge:

it's it's real tough out there. There's select 40 and then you have like Power 24 and Elite 40, which I was in the select 40. Tho those teams are tough teams. Like it's not, there's nothing easy when you are going out there and playing in Kentucky.

Coach Matthew:

So you're playing against four and five star recruits

Kilah Dandridge:

Sometimes. Yes. Most

Coach Matthew:

of the time. Yeah. And then, so in Vegas, what was Vegas like? I, 'cause I've personally, I've never been to Las Vegas.

Kilah Dandridge:

Stepping right off that plane, it was very hot, but it was a good experience getting to getting to play somewhere that I've never played before. Getting to see different people getting to meet NBA players, seeing WNBA players that was a very good experience.

Coach Matthew:

That's cool. Who was your favorite NBA player to meet?

Kilah Dandridge:

Matt Barnes.

Coach Matthew:

Was LeBron there?

Kilah Dandridge:

No,

Coach Matthew:

he wasn't. That would've been cool though, if you gotta meet LeBron. Yeah. And then, so like in Atlanta, what was the Atlanta tournament? What was that like?

Kilah Dandridge:

That was like a a intense type of tournament, like we had, there was like mul, there's multiple coaches at those tournaments, so it's like you have to play your A game Okay. In front of them. But yeah, those, I like the swimmer. Those are fun because it's like, it gets, it's a good experience. For to prepare yourself for college.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah. It's, so playing at this high level tournament, you got all these college coaches, college scouts, there, sometimes NBA Scouts or WNBA scouts. How do you manage that pressure?

Kilah Dandridge:

I just try not to think about it. I just try to go out there and just play my game. Whatever comes to me will come to me. So I just go out there, play my game, have fun and en enjoy it with my teammates

Coach Matthew:

for sure. I think it's just what you just gotta to keep a level up. Yeah. Not try to get too absorbed into the moment. And then, so early in your career, what are some of defining moments that shaped your mindset?

Kilah Dandridge:

I would say 10th grade. 10th grade year is what really shaped my mindset and got me doing better. Especially at the state tournament. Like I realized that I. I'm good at basketball.

Speaker 3:

Yeah,

Kilah Dandridge:

I know. I know it was like, okay. But making like the Allstate team. Yeah. Like that, that helped me a li a lot more, like knowing that I can do this. It just it gave me a positive mindset and like a mindset to just go harder.

Coach Matthew:

So did you fe do you feel like you evolved between your sophomore year to your junior year?

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah, I do. I do. How do you

Coach Matthew:

feel like your game developed and how do you feel like you evolved?

Kilah Dandridge:

A lot. I think I've done a lot better with the one-on-ones. I think that's something that has gotten better, getting my own shots creating space for myself.

Coach Matthew:

And so I, I noticed in your game most of the time you get face guarded, so how do you feel like you've been able to create shots despite getting face guarded the entire game?'cause I know it's frustrating.

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah. It can be frustrating sometimes having somebody in your face with the whole game. But I sometimes am able to get open shots, like if my teammates come down, set a screen for me Yeah. And I can just curl off of that and get myself an open shot, or if I bring up the ball and then I have a iso. So those are like the couple ways that I can create my own shot.

Coach Matthew:

And did, so when you were in the, I know you committed to Westland, but when you were in the recruiting process, did any coaches like point out like, Hey, we see you getting face guard the whole time. Were you doing a really good job with that?

Kilah Dandridge:

My coach that that I have now he's told me that I've done, he told me that I had a a really good high school career and that even though I've been getting like face guarded I've been doing very well.

Coach Matthew:

That's good. So that's a. That's some positive reinforcement. Yeah. Because I can only imagine if I was out there getting face guard the whole time, I'd definitely get frustrated. Yeah. I'd be if I normally score 20 and I only score 12, I'd be like, what the heck? But, and so like your upbringing, you have your mom, your sisters, how do you feel like they influenced your approach to competition?

Kilah Dandridge:

I think with like my sister, with her playing she just, she's basically showed me that it's tough out there. Like nothing, nothing's gonna come easy. So I've just always tried to I've always tried to go out there and not, and do my best. And yeah. With my mom, she just tells me to go out there, give it my all every time. Yeah. You're gonna I'm gonna miss shots, but I have to get back, sprint back if I miss a layup, don't stand there, run back, get back on defense. Just keep playing the game because. You're gonna miss shots

Coach Matthew:

yeah. For sure. And how do you feel like them being in your ears shaped you into a leader on the court?

Kilah Dandridge:

I think they've done a good job with that because like now I'm more vocal with my teammates. I try to push them. I try to talk to them, help them out with what they need to like help with on. So I think that they've helped me in a very good way to be a leader.

Coach Matthew:

And one thing I'm curious about, I don't like pulling the women are more emotional guard, but they are more emotionally intelligent than men. It's just a fact. But how do you feel like your leadership approach with girls is different from from, let's say you were playing with guys,

Kilah Dandridge:

it's more like a not like a necessary calm, but you watch what you say type of thing. Okay. Because, yeah, 'cause girls can be sensitive sometimes. So you have to like, sometimes watch what you say it's not really about how you say it, but it's like the words that come out your mouth.

Coach Matthew:

Okay. So you gotta be picky about what you say

Kilah Dandridge:

sometimes. Yeah.

Coach Matthew:

So let's say I'm a girl and I've missed my last three shots. What would you say to me?

Kilah Dandridge:

I would say, and I'm super sensitive, would say, I would say you're good. Just keep shooting. They're gonna eventually fall.

Coach Matthew:

Okay. So let's say I'm not sensitive. What would you say to me?

Kilah Dandridge:

Probably something like, pick it up.

Coach Matthew:

Pick it up. Okay. Yeah. So it just depends on the girl. Yeah. Okay. So you really gotta know your audience. So how do you feel like personal experiences outside of basketball shaped the way you've competed on the court?

Kilah Dandridge:

Thinking, I was just looking at this question too with like personal experience. Like what type of personal experiences?

Coach Matthew:

It could be maybe a job that you have at outside of basketball. Maybe it's like community service, maybe it's like a upbringing thing. Like the way that you spend time at your house.

Kilah Dandridge:

I would say with my my program, my bridge program with mentoring a kid that's that's helped me like become a better person and become a, like a better leader also too, because I'm there for somebody, just like if my teammates need me to be there for them.

Coach Matthew:

How many times, how many days a week do you do the bridge program?

Kilah Dandridge:

Once a week.

Coach Matthew:

And walk me through that experience. What do you do, where are you at?

Kilah Dandridge:

I go to North Middle School.

Coach Matthew:

Okay.

Kilah Dandridge:

For 45 minutes. I just sit and I talk to a kid that just needs help with school or just life that struggling a little bit. So I just try to be like an outlet for them. Talk to them about school, get their mind off of things, help them with whatever they need help with.

Coach Matthew:

Do you spend more, do you feel like you spend more time talking about life than you do school? Yeah, a hundred percent. I get, I remember doing pass and it's like the same thing. What's one skill or hobby outside of basketball? You feel like you were better at

Kilah Dandridge:

one skill outside of basketball? That I think I'm better at. Not basketball related.

Coach Matthew:

It could be basketball related or like a hobby that you wish that you indulged in more.

Kilah Dandridge:

I like pickleball.

Coach Matthew:

Do you actually like play? Yeah. You played pickleball before? Yeah. Explain pickleball to me.'cause I've never played, I played tennis.

Kilah Dandridge:

I've played like two, three times, but for some reason, to me it's just a very fun sport to do. It's like tennis.

Speaker 3:

Yeah.

Kilah Dandridge:

But you have to let the ball hit the ground, I think three times before you can just start hitting it, like back and forth. But it's it's basically like tennis, just different just

Coach Matthew:

like with a whiffle ball,

Kilah Dandridge:

something like that. Yeah.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah. Is so are you, would you say you're pretty good and you're like decent? You all right?

Kilah Dandridge:

I'm decent. Yeah. Decent. I got a pickleball set for Christmas. So Did you really trying to like, play with that a little bit? Yeah.

Coach Matthew:

Who's who have you played against? Have you played against people your age? Older people?

Kilah Dandridge:

I played against the kids at school, like during school before. Okay.

Coach Matthew:

And you hold your own. Yeah. That's cool. And so you, your guys' season just ended a couple weeks ago. How have you spent this time unwinding and what's your go-to thing? To unwind and relax after a season?

Kilah Dandridge:

The thing I've been doing most is like sleeping, just giving my body a second to just finally rest and playing Xbox.

Coach Matthew:

You play Xbox? Yeah. What games do you play?

Kilah Dandridge:

Assassin's Creed and NBA.

Coach Matthew:

Which one do you like more though?

Kilah Dandridge:

Assassin's Creed.

Coach Matthew:

And you got the new one just came out, right? Yeah. Have you been playing that one? Yeah. What's that like?

Kilah Dandridge:

That one's based in I don't even know what it's based in, but it's like a, it's a very good story. It's yeah, the storyline, it's told very well.

Coach Matthew:

Did you play was it Odyssey, Valhalla, and then the one with the Roman Empire.

Kilah Dandridge:

I played the Val Howa and Mirage. I think that's how you said it, Mirage.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah, I know what you're talking about last year. Yeah. I know which one you're talking about. I haven't played those in forever. I sold my consoles. And a male dominated sports culture. How do you maintain confidence and stand firm in your abilities?

Kilah Dandridge:

Just by believing in myself and showing that girls' basketball is just guys' basketball. It's just as important.

Coach Matthew:

How do you feel like you've made an impact in women's basketball to put it on a pedestal with men's?

Kilah Dandridge:

I think I've made an impact by doing the stuff I've done throughout my whole high school career, especially for the epac. Like I've done a lot to try and help the Pac get put on the map a little more and yeah, gain a little bit more respect.

Coach Matthew:

Do you feel like there's any other girls also in the PAC that you felt you've been side by side with working to build up women's sports?

Kilah Dandridge:

I would say, I think all the girls really Okay. Tried try and build up the sport girls basketball over here.

Coach Matthew:

Because I remember the regional game that gym was packed. Yeah. Which is good. And then so your favorite basketball player? She plays a u she used to play Yukon. Yeah, what's her name again?

Kilah Dandridge:

Nika Mul, but I also very big fan of Cameron Brink.

Coach Matthew:

Cameron Brink? Yes. Oh the girlfriend, she tore her ACL right? Yeah, that sucked. That felt really bad for her.'cause I think she came, didn't she play it?

Kilah Dandridge:

She played at Stanford.

Coach Matthew:

Stanford, I was gonna say UNC, but I'm thinking of, I think Alyssa Stan be or something can be or something like that. But so those girls, do you, those are your role models on the women's side. How do you feel like they've really influenced your mindset, influenced your game?

Kilah Dandridge:

They showed me that there's, you're not gonna have a great game at every game. And that just to push through it, have a great mindset. Like even after the game I seen like the girl from Kentucky, Georgia more, a more she missed the last shot to make it to the sweet 16 of the the tournament. But her quote after the game was just, I'm not gonna let one shot define my five years of college basketball. So I try to like, keep that mindset too. Like one bad game or like a free throw that could help us win the game. Yeah. Can't let that define my whole high school career.

Coach Matthew:

For sure had, has there ever been a moment where a game's on the line and you're responsible for making the last shot and it didn't work out or maybe it did?

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah, I think multiple ninth grade year it happened when we were playing Washington. I had the ball for the last shot and I went to do a spin move and I lost the ball and they got it. But they didn't make the free throws, so that's good. We still got to go to states. And then I would say this year against Martinsburg, I had, I was on the line for two free throws and I missed one, and then we lost by three though. So it was first I felt like that I cost a game in a way. Yeah. Because if I would've made just two free throws Yeah. And if we just had one more shot after that, we could have won.

Coach Matthew:

And how do you. You we even manage that without, 'cause at the end of the day, it's not your fault. There's multiple underlining factors, but how do you manage not being so hard on yourself and I guess having empathy with yourself? Compassion.

Kilah Dandridge:

I'll be hard on myself for a second, but then I'm like it's not all on me. There's, there was other turnovers Yeah. Mistakes that happened, so I can't blame just one shot on how the whole game goes.

Coach Matthew:

And so in moments like that, how do you mentally recover?

Kilah Dandridge:

Just by trying to stay positive. Not keep thinking about the game. Like my mom says it's in the past. Yeah, just leave it there. So I just try to keep a positive mindset and not keep thinking about it. Yeah. Not to just sit there and think and think, try to move on.

Coach Matthew:

Is there any like external thing you do, listen to music, maybe go run and get dairy Queens, something like that?

Kilah Dandridge:

Sometimes just sleep. Just sleep. Yeah. Sleep it off. Yeah.

Coach Matthew:

And then, so with being a like a star athlete like yourself, you've received a lot of criticism. How do you deal and manage that criticism?

Kilah Dandridge:

Just let it go in one ear and out the other. Over like these past four years, I've just learned people are gonna talk, they're gonna say things because that's just what people do. Especially student sections. Yeah. That's their whole point in being there. It's just to try to get in your head. I would just try to stay confident in myself and I know my game, so like at the end of the day, even if I do have a bad game that's not gonna define how I am as like a whole basketball player.

Speaker 5:

For sure.

Coach Matthew:

And if you're ready to feel like a king, feel like a queen and wear that crown. Go cop your kingdom merch. We got gym tank tops, t-shirts, got sweatshirts. All that you can personalize and make them about you. You can put your name on it, your initials favorite Bible verse, something that means something to you so that you can truly wear the crown. I appreciate you guys. And then so what do you feel is like the craziest thing you've heard while playing the game?

Kilah Dandridge:

Ninth grade year? Getting overrated chance. So

Coach Matthew:

being a freshman, getting called overrated.

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah. Was crazy to me.

Coach Matthew:

What team was that?

Kilah Dandridge:

Mountain Ridge.

Coach Matthew:

You guys ended up blowing 'em out.

Kilah Dandridge:

We lost, I think we lost by six or something like that. Oh,

Coach Matthew:

darn.

Kilah Dandridge:

And then this year, first game Wheeling Park, I got told that I couldn't guard a brick wall, so that was something too. But at the end of the day, I just think it's funny. Yeah. So I just laugh it off.

Coach Matthew:

Have you ever had opposing teams make like posters of your face? No. No. Not yet. Yeah, just give it time. Give it time. That's funny. And then what about, so like social media with, we're on a digital age. How do you feel like, have you received any criticism on social media?

Kilah Dandridge:

No. Everybody's like the people that I'm surrounded by. It's all just been positive on social media.

Coach Matthew:

Let's go and then, so what role do you feel like emotional intelligence plays in being a successful athlete?

Kilah Dandridge:

I think it plays a very big role because if you have to have a good mindset. Like you can't let, you can't always let your emotions get to you because that can mess up your game. Yeah. You have to you have to like, you have to stay locked in. Like everybody. You're gonna have your moments, but you have to stay locked in

Coach Matthew:

For sure. So do you feel like when playing a game, like when you are a really good basketball player, do you ever feel like, oh, maybe I shouldn't score so much, maybe I need to pass it more. Or maybe I need to score more. Do you ever have like mental battles?

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah. I've had moments on the court where I've been like, I feel like I've taken so many shots and I feel like I haven't gotten my teammates as many shots. So I'd be like, I need to pass more. Yeah. I need to get my teammates open more. And then I've had times where I've been like, I haven't really shot the ball. I need to. I need to get my shots. Yeah.

Coach Matthew:

And do you, is there, so when that happens, like when you're not taking shots, do you. What's the outside noise? Do you feel like there's people like screaming at you like, Hey, shoot more, pass more.

Kilah Dandridge:

I don't really think it's, I don't really think it's the outside noise. I think it's just more me, like more, it's more in my, it's more in my head.

Coach Matthew:

I gotcha. With the different highs and lows of competition, how do you manage the highs versus the lows and make sure they're not too extreme?

Kilah Dandridge:

I try not to get my, let myself get too low. If I know like I'm starting to feel bad for myself or something like that, like I'll try not to, I'll try to keep like positive state. And I don't try, I always try to stay as humble as possible, like I'm not like one of the people that like, go around thinking like, I'm this amazing person. Yeah. I just try to keep a level head, stay humble, and just can continue to play my game.

Coach Matthew:

So your biggest thing, so you internally validate yourself in a way. Don't look for like the outside praise. And so in these big moments, so like a couple years ago you played in the state semi-finals. How did you feel, how do you feel like you managed playing in that on such a high stage, such a big stage?

Kilah Dandridge:

I think I managed that very well. Like I knew there was, I knew there was a lot of eyes on us, especially coming in as the five C playing the four. Nobody really thought like we were gonna win that game.

Speaker 3:

Yeah.' Kilah Dandridge: cause of thought we were just like, they thought because of the way we were winning over here. We didn't think we could like, play against teams over there.

Coach Matthew:

Like it wouldn't translate. Yeah.

Kilah Dandridge:

But then we went out there and we won. So I'd say I think managed that very well. Yeah. Kept a level head.

Coach Matthew:

Because you guys had a really good team. You had, I know she graduated a couple years before you, I can't remember her name. But then you also had Olivia Bald Duke, you had Faith Bush, another girl that I think you played on Soldiers with at one point. I think she graduated last year with Faith.

Kilah Dandridge:

Tori.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah. Tori. So and you'd play with those girls for four or five years up to that point. What was like playing with those girls?

Kilah Dandridge:

Fun especially getting, especially when I've been playing with them like my whole life basically. Yeah. That's like a big moment. Making it to the state tournament all together. That's like something that you have to cherish.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah. And not to pick favorites, but who do you enjoy playing with the most? Who do you feel like you have the most chemistry with?

Kilah Dandridge:

I would say throughout, I would say Olivia bald. Like we playing with each other since middle school. So going into that, like our chemistry was strong like six years of playing. Yeah, six straight years of playing basketball together. So I would say playing with her was like one of the most fun times.

Coach Matthew:

Who do, how do you feel like you guys feed off of one another when you play?

Kilah Dandridge:

She knows how I play. I know how she plays. So we used to just get to our spots. Yeah. And we know where each other were on the court, so it was we just connected.

Coach Matthew:

That's good. So it's she knows that she knows you're gonna be open, you're she's you're gonna be open.

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah. It's like she could get a rebound and she knows I'm running the floor. Yeah. Just to throw it up.

Coach Matthew:

That's like unspoken chemistry. Yeah. That's like mind games. That's awesome. So what do you, so pre-game, let's just say before so the state tournament game, what's your pre-game ritual? Superstitions or just what gets you ready?

Kilah Dandridge:

Two fruit snacks for every game. Two fruit snacks, two bags of fruit snacks for every game. The weest fruit snacks. I always listen to, I always listen to music. I try to listen to music all the time. Just to stay calm and focus and got a brand gum. My LeBrons with me everywhere.

Coach Matthew:

So the fruit snack, what is it about the fruit snacks that's I gotta eat these Before every game

Kilah Dandridge:

I was, I don't know. For me, I feel like I play better when I eat fruit snacks. Okay. That's how I was throughout travel basketball too. I always used to eat two bags of fruit snacks before the game.

Coach Matthew:

And it's only two.

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah, only two.

Coach Matthew:

Okay. What about is there like a certain way that you eat 'em?

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah. Okay. So I do I do like from my least favorite to my favorite.

Coach Matthew:

Which one's your, is it by color or is it by shape? Color. Okay. So which one would you eat first and which one would you eat last?

Kilah Dandridge:

I eat like the yellowish ones first. Okay. And then I eat the red ones last

Coach Matthew:

because the reds are your favorite? Yeah. Okay. And then you said, what is it? Music. So what kind of music do you listen to?

Kilah Dandridge:

I listen to I listen to hip hop and stuff at first. Okay. And then once it gets closer to the game, I'll start listening to music, more calm music that will calm me down and just get my nerves down and help me get ready for the game.

Coach Matthew:

So are you like a really nervous person before the game?

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah, I get nervous.

Coach Matthew:

So one to 10, 10 be the most

Kilah Dandridge:

probably sometimes seven eight.

Coach Matthew:

Seven eight. Yeah. What gets you so nervous?

Kilah Dandridge:

I don't know. I think it's just me. I think I just get myself built up. Okay. And then I just get myself nervous.

Coach Matthew:

And then how long do the nerves last before you? Before the game starts or

Kilah Dandridge:

all the way until jump ball.

Coach Matthew:

Okay.

Kilah Dandridge:

Then once jump ball's over, I'm, there's no more nerves.

Coach Matthew:

You just, good. Yeah. So it's just like that built up momentum, that anticipation. Yeah.

Kilah Dandridge:

I think, yeah, just waiting for the game to actually start.

Coach Matthew:

Okay.'cause I don't like when you watch, you play, you don't even look nervous. You just have a, I don't wanna say a mean mug, but like almost a mean mug in a way. You're just like, I'm here, I'm good. Yeah. Or Cool. Is there any pregame rituals while you're on the court that you do or superstitions?

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah. When we shoot in the corners, I gotta do two and two.

Coach Matthew:

Okay.

Kilah Dandridge:

Can't, I can't touch the lines because I feel, when I touch the lines, certainly I feel like I'm about to have a bad game, so I gotta go back and do it again.

Coach Matthew:

Do you have OCD? Yeah. Like severe OCD almost In a way.

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah, in a way.

Coach Matthew:

So what is it with the twos? Like why is it e twos and even numbers?

Kilah Dandridge:

I can't do odds. Odd numbers just make me feel weird. So I just, I try to keep everything even yeah, I just try to keep everything even.'cause I feel like if I don't keep it, even sometimes, like during basketball, I feel like I'm gonna have a bad game, even though I know I'm not gonna have a bad game based off if I shoot two shots or three. But in my, that's in my mind, I think I will.

Coach Matthew:

Do you think about that, like when you shoot like threes versus twos? Do you like twos more?'cause they're even

Kilah Dandridge:

I don't think about that when I'm on like, the court. Okay. But like, when I have the time to think about it. Like during warmups? Yeah. Yeah. I think about it a lot more.

Coach Matthew:

So will you make sure, so let's say you shoot four shots, would you then, and you only make three outta those four, would you shoot. Two more to make sure that it's four and six or five and six.

Kilah Dandridge:

I would probably, I, if I only made three outta the four shots, I probably just shoot one more, just to say I had four. Okay. That's before every prac, after every practice, I always had to shoot two layups. Okay. Just the end practice.

Coach Matthew:

Gotcha. So you don't leave the court without making, without missing a shot.

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah. I try to, pretty much, yeah. I try to make two layups and then I leave the court.

Coach Matthew:

And then you're talking about your LeBrons, what is it about the LeBrons

Kilah Dandridge:

That's just been my shoe since ninth grade. Like they're beat up now. Inside's ripped up. Outside's ripped up, but I've always played good when I've worn those. But since we got a team shoe this year, I've just brought'em along just just to have'em like a comfort shoe.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah. And do you ever, have you ever thought about getting 'em restored so you can wear 'em again?

Kilah Dandridge:

No, I think just gonna leave them how they are.

Coach Matthew:

And you're gonna take 'em to Westland with you, aren't you?

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah, probably

Coach Matthew:

get like a, like an airtight seal case or something and just keep 'em framed. Something like that. Yeah. That's funny. That's neat though. I don't think there's ever been anything that I've ever, that's a lot. I've like a pillow of a pillow. I won't go anywhere without it. So do you ever visualize or like mentally rehearse before playing a game or moments leading up to a game?

Kilah Dandridge:

Say that one more time.

Coach Matthew:

Do you ever visualize or mentally rehearse before stepping onto the court? Playing in a game?

Kilah Dandridge:

I try to just visualize myself, like going out there and just doing all that I can Playing my heart out, playing till the, yeah. Till the buzzer hits zero. And with the mental side, I just try to keep confidence in myself, tell myself I'm good.

Speaker 3:

Yeah,

Kilah Dandridge:

after I miss shot, just get back you're good. You're gonna miss the shot, you're gonna miss some shots. But then there's gonna be some that are gonna eventually fall.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah. So like just walking through the game, like your emotions in your head, mentally preparing, so you're good to go. Has there been any moments where, let's say it's halftime and you didn't do too well the first half, did you mentally rehearse or visualize yourself going out and succeeding?

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah there's been a couple times where I've had I haven't had a good half. And then I'll just go in the locker room, get myself together, and then. When I come back out, like the second half, I just do it a lot better 'cause I'm staying confident in myself, like just telling myself I'm good.

Coach Matthew:

Has there ever been like a moment where, do you know what imposter syndrome is? So it's I've

Kilah Dandridge:

heard of it though, but I dunno what

Coach Matthew:

it's like almost like you don't feel like you deserve the recognition. Like your awards, your achievements, everything you've done isn't yours. You're like, you're an imposter. Like you're not worthy of it. Have you ever had moments where you felt like that?

Kilah Dandridge:

Sometimes. Not really, but sometimes I'm just like, I feel like I don't deserve this. I feel like I'm not as good as people think I am. Yeah. I've had those womens a couple times.

Coach Matthew:

Have you what did you do to overcome those?

Kilah Dandridge:

I just sometimes, like I have my awards on my walls. Yeah. So sometimes I'll go in there and I'll look at'em and just be like. I put the work in to be able to get these awards. Like I, the end day, I do deserve them. I, yeah, I went out there and I put my work in even when people didn't see it. Yeah. So this was that's my award.

Coach Matthew:

And so how do you feel like you detach yourself from your awards and, acknowledge that you're more than you, you're just what your awards say you are?

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah. I haven't, I don't really try to like, put my name with my awards. Like I'm more than just what the award tells me I am. Yeah. So I just, I detach myself from it by just not focusing on it as much. Like that, the words, yeah. They're a good achievement. But they're not, they don't define like my, who I am as a basketball player.

Coach Matthew:

Kinda like they're nothing without you in a way. Yeah. Like you, like in a way you are the award. Yeah. You brought value to it. So is there, has there ever been like a mental block you've had to overcome in your career?

Kilah Dandridge:

Yes. 10th grade year when I wanted to stop playing basketball. Just give up the whole sport all the way. But then I had family, friends, my support system, my trainer, money mar training. Helped me like get the love for basketball back again, going to workouts just staying consistent with workouts and like trying to bring the love back to me. So

Coach Matthew:

Is there like any specific reason why you started to not love the game anymore?

Kilah Dandridge:

I don't think there was anything like, that was like, made me wanna just quit like that. I think I just, I think I was just overwhelmed with just basketball overall. So I think I, I just wanted to just give it up.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah. And so what is it that they did specifically that helped you find that love again? What did you do specifically to find that love again?

Kilah Dandridge:

They let me have my moment for, they let me have my moment and then it was don't just give this up you too hard to just give it up. So then I just got back in the gym and then I finally just found the love for it again.

Coach Matthew:

Do you think it was fueled by Wise? What do you feel like your wise are for playing the game?

Kilah Dandridge:

My mom, family and stuff for always supporting me. They've done a lot for me and to just give it up yeah. Not I can't just give it up after everything like they've done.

Coach Matthew:

And so I remember your, it was your sophomore year, right? Where you broke your ankle? That can or was sophomore, was it foot?

Kilah Dandridge:

My foot ninth grade year.

Coach Matthew:

Ninth grade year. Okay. So you broke your foot. How do you feel like, do you feel like that had any impact on basketball going into your sophomore year at all?

Kilah Dandridge:

I broke it actually. I broke it going into my ninth grade year. Going

Coach Matthew:

into freshman year.

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah. So that, that did have an impact on me.'cause it was like we were just starting up like the summer camps. Yeah. And I couldn't play. Yeah. So it was like, I was already a step behind everybody else that was coming in because they were playing the summer camp. So I feel like that, that did take a toll on my mind. Not being able to play basketball and just sitting out and watching everybody else play.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah. Did you find a way to get better despite not being able to move as well?

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah. Still dribble the basketball, Yeah. Sitting down and dribbling the basketball

Coach Matthew:

and then, what what other things did you feel like you were able to do outside of basketball? Do you feel like you got a more knowledgeable, involving like the X and o's of the game?

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah, definitely. I focused on the game a lot more like the little things.

Coach Matthew:

So what's one thing that you feel like, what is a strategy that helps you build confidence? What helps you build resilience when you're playing on the game, on the court?

Kilah Dandridge:

I I go out there and I just like, I have to think, I'm just trying to think like I'm LeBron in a way. Like I just, I try to get myself hyped up yeah, I can go out there and get a bucket.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah. So you kind almost like you embody LeBron's energy in a way. Yeah. Just I know I'm Kyle Daners, but I'm gonna pretend like I'm LeBron real quick and I'm just gonna show up and I'm just gonna blow. Yeah. I was gonna ask, so if you had a celebrity join your team for a day, who would it be and why? I have a feeling I know who it is. LeBron. Okay. So why would it be LeBron?

Kilah Dandridge:

Just, I would love to learn like the game from him. Like he has, his IQ is insane. Like he, the way he sees the floor is crazy. And I, not a lot of people can see the floor, the way he sees the floor.

Coach Matthew:

Do you feel like you guys would be a dynamic duo?

Kilah Dandridge:

Could be, yeah.

Coach Matthew:

Have you, what moment? Like in LeBron's game where he's just talking about like the IQ part stands out to you the most.

Kilah Dandridge:

There was this one time he was talking to Anthony Davis. Yeah. Like he told him to just to dribble at one time, go into the guy's chest, he's gonna, he's gonna jump. So then go into his chest and then the next play, Anthony Davis did exactly that. Like when to the guy's chest. Got it in one. So it's it's crazy how he knows the game. Yeah. Like how he sees the floor and how he knows what the players are gonna do.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah. Or have you ever heard when they're, he's saying to, to the other guy's team, the player no, you're supposed to be here. Yeah. Just

Kilah Dandridge:

He'll put them in exact spots and then, yeah. It's crazy. It's like crazy.

Coach Matthew:

Like photographic memory in a way. Yeah. So when, so do you feel like you, what type of basketball do you feel like you watch more? Do you watch professionally or do you watch college?

Kilah Dandridge:

College basketball.

Coach Matthew:

Okay. So you've probably been watching the NCAA tournament lately?

Kilah Dandridge:

A little bit, yeah.

Coach Matthew:

What is it about like college basketball over NBA basketball or WNBA basketball that you enjoy?

Kilah Dandridge:

I think just I can relate to a little bit more 'cause they're younger.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah.

Kilah Dandridge:

Like when we all go through the same things, but I feel like I enjoy it more because I feel more connected to like those players.

Coach Matthew:

Okay. Do you feel like you empathize with them more? Yeah. Have you met any college basketball players personally?

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah, I met this one girl that went to UConn. Okay. She doesn't go there anymore. She, I think she's playing, like she's playing for professional basketball, but not like WNBA, but Oh,

Coach Matthew:

like overseas? Yeah. How do you, so what advice did they give you when when you're coming up, when you're in the recruitment process?

Kilah Dandridge:

Just don't get overwhelmed by it. Don't get overwhelmed. Don't stress out about it. Take your time with it all.

Coach Matthew:

So that you felt like they were like very big support and though throughout the whole process. And like your teammates at your new teammates at Westland, how did they, have you, had any of them reach out to you? Or have you talked to any of' Kilah Dandridge: em? I've talked to them. I talked to them a little bit, but like when I went on the visit, yeah. But I haven't really talked to 'em since. How do you feel like, so what was the biggest part of choosing Westland?

Kilah Dandridge:

The family they're like a big family over there. The coaches is very welcoming, very nice. He's always checking up on me, making sure I'm doing good in school and in basketball. And their team, they have a really good team. And another thing is I'm the, all of us that are incoming freshmens, I'm playing travel basketball with, so it's like I'm going in with girls that I know, so it's not like I'm by myself.

Coach Matthew:

Okay. So it's something you're familiar with that way. Yeah. Yeah. And so playing with those girls in travel ball, what do you feel is, what have you enjoyed the most about playing with them in travel ball but now getting to play with them in college?

Kilah Dandridge:

Just the way that we can read each other on the court, like understanding each other's spots. I have my teammate from Spring Valley yeah, Allie Daniels. We did a lot of pick and roll action. Okay. And travel. So like she would screen roll. Yeah, just I dump it down to her. So that's something I feel like we can translate in college too. That'll work very well.

Coach Matthew:

This episode of Royal Vision Podcast is sponsored by Trophies Plus here in Martinsburg, West Virginia. If you're looking for sublimated mugs, trophies, awards, or even embroidered hats, go to Trophies Plus in Martinsburg, West Virginia to go cop all those needs. That'd be good. Now what position is she a guard too? Center? She's a center, yeah. How tall is she? 6 1 6. Jeez. That's as tall as me. Yeah. Oh my goodness. It's six one. That's crazy. Forget about that. So like your social media platform, I feel like you have a decent sized social media. How do you want to use that platform to either, shine a light on women's basketball or just influence people throughout the game? Through the game.

Kilah Dandridge:

I would say like my, 'cause my, like Omaha Instagram I just keep, I keep it like very just basketball. Yeah. Like I, I try not to like, do all like the other stuff. I try to like, keep it mainly focused on basketball, like show people that like, like you have to keep your social medias clean. That's a big part when it comes to recruiting and just playing a sport in general.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah. Do you think do you've gotten more exposure because of social media? Do you feel like it's helped you?

Kilah Dandridge:

I would, yeah. It is definitely helped. Like getting the posts, like my, yeah. Highlight videos and putting them out there and like tagging coaches and stuff like that. Yeah. Like that, that definitely has helped.

Coach Matthew:

What platform are you more prominent? Instagram X?

Kilah Dandridge:

I would say Instagram. Instagram.

Coach Matthew:

What?'cause I've seen a lot of men's basketball players, football players, they post on XA lot.

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah. I post on there too with the highlight videos. Highlight.

Coach Matthew:

Okay. What do you, so what's you, what's a highlight that stands out to you the most that you've made?

Kilah Dandridge:

Probably my, the highlights from probably from states. Like the two games. In 10th grade.

Coach Matthew:

In 10th grade. Is there like a play that stands out to you the most?

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah. I always watch this video. I don't know why. It's just it was first Cabell Midland. Yeah. We were, we, I think we were down by like one, and I drove on the right side, went up, girl fouled me. I got an and one and I just stood there and I like, I did a little flex and then I walked away. That's funny. But my favorite part of that whole thing was the benches reaction, like my teammates, the way that they were just going crazy on the bench. Yeah. Like for me, just. I just love that support. So yeah,

Coach Matthew:

having the support and then just like that, that that mean mug moment. Yeah. Do you have a picture of from that?

Kilah Dandridge:

I don't have a picture, but I just have the video. Oh.' Coach Matthew: cause I was definitely media there, just a picture, just I can't think of what NBA player was, but that's a good moment. Yeah. So talk about media. Do you have a guilty pleasure when it comes to TV shows, movies, or snacks? Not off the top of my head that I can think of. No.

Coach Matthew:

Are you more of a movie person or a TV show? Person? TV show. What TV show have you been watching?

Kilah Dandridge:

I'm wa what Reacher. I've been watching Reacher. It's it's on Prime video though.

Coach Matthew:

What

Speaker 3:

is that?

Kilah Dandridge:

It's, I don't even know how to explain it, but it's just, it's this guy who just, who goes around and he just like, basically just solves crimes.

Coach Matthew:

Oh, so it's, I don't wanna, I don't wanna say it, it is like criminal minds or like law and Order one of those,

Kilah Dandridge:

it's like a more, it is more like action wise.

Coach Matthew:

So it's have you ever seen Daredevil? No. Do you know what Daredevil is?

Kilah Dandridge:

I've never seen it, but I like, I've seen a picture of it, but I haven't seen, actually watched it.

Coach Matthew:

So Daredevil is, he's a blind superhero and he's trained in martial arts, can kick butt, but he's trying to bring down the mafia, the kingpin.

Kilah Dandridge:

That's basically what this is like. Really? That's, he's like military. Okay. Retired. Yeah.

Coach Matthew:

And then, so do you feel like there's a, like a sisterhood and a team culture in women's basketball? And what do you feel like that means to you?

Kilah Dandridge:

I feel that means a lot like how I was just talking about my teammates, how they just celebrate on the bench. Yeah. Like the way they just showed their support. I think that means a lot in women's basketball just sticking together because people doubt women's basketball. So I feel like just sticking together is like the main thing that's gonna help women's basketball rise, rise up.

Coach Matthew:

And how do you feel like the community of women's basketball is different from men's basketball?

Kilah Dandridge:

I think with like women's ba men's basketball I mean it's a lot different. Like for men there's there's a lot more support when it comes to certain things. But that's the one thing I love about college basketball is like with the women's, like everybody supports like the college girls basketball just as much as they do the men's.

Coach Matthew:

And then I know it's neke, right? Is it, what was, what's your Yukon player name? Nika. Nika. Nika. I know that's your favorite player, but do you feel like Kailyn Clark's helped in a way as well?

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah, definitely has helped. Get the viewers up too put in. Having the games being broadcasted now. Yeah. Yeah she's done a lot for a women's basketball. People have to give her credit for that.'cause not a lot of people used to watch basketball then they hear about Kaitlyn Clark and now it's let's go watch a girl's basketball game.

Coach Matthew:

Have you ever personally seen Kaitlyn Clark in and like in person?

Kilah Dandridge:

No. I've only seen her on tv.

Coach Matthew:

Okay. So in sports, what impact do you feel like you have as a female athlete beyond your sport and how can you use your platform effectively?

Kilah Dandridge:

Just like show by showing people like you're more than what? Just your sport, like you're a person outside your sport like you. There's other things, like the basketball's not gonna be a everything everyday thing. Like it's gonna eventually stop. So just finding like your purpose outside of the game. Like hobbies that you enjoy. Like just keeping like a level head and just enjoying life.

Coach Matthew:

So out. So after basketball, do you see yourself doing something involving sports or something completely different

Kilah Dandridge:

involving sports? I wanna stay in within the basketball area.

Coach Matthew:

What could you see yourself doing?

Kilah Dandridge:

I'm not sure yet. I wanna be like, I wanna be like in the action, so something maybe like manager or something that's keeping me like, connected with the game.

Coach Matthew:

Like a GM or something? Yeah. Oh, so like in charge of basketball, operations, stuff like that.

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah. Something, sports agent, something like that. I know you talked

Coach Matthew:

about you do creative writing. Have you ever thought about sports writing?

Kilah Dandridge:

Not really, no. But I might look into it.

Coach Matthew:

And you, I think you said something about, you wrote like an essay or like a paper about sports? Kind of. What was that?

Kilah Dandridge:

I wrote a essay on my, how I broke my foot and how I had to overcome it. I wrote that it was like I had to I had to dig deep into like my own mind to really write about that. But yeah, I wrote about just how I broke my foot and how I had to overcome that and how I've moved on like from to this day. It's in the, it's gonna be posted in like our school. Paper thing, but yeah.

Coach Matthew:

So what message do you want people to take away from that?

Kilah Dandridge:

Just that you might have a setback, but you can over, you can overcome it.

Coach Matthew:

For sure. Not letting one moment define you. Yeah. Finding a way to break through, overcome anything. So outside of winning games, winning championships, what does success look like for you in the long term?

Kilah Dandridge:

Doing the thing. I love, like my job. Just enjoying it. Just enjoying whatever I do.

Coach Matthew:

Could you see yourself playing overseas or playing professionally at all?

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah, I, after college I wanna go overseas and play basketball.

Coach Matthew:

What experience, I know you're not opposed to playing the WNBA, but what are you most looking forward to in that experience?

Kilah Dandridge:

Meeting? Just meeting new people. Seeing how the game is played overseas. Like how is it different from 'cause it's gonna be a little bit different. Yeah. And learning like the new languages and stuff like that.

Coach Matthew:

Are you, do you speak any other languages or you just speak English? Just English. Have you ever tried to learn another language?

Kilah Dandridge:

Spanish, but it hasn't really worked out for me.

Coach Matthew:

Is it just eh,

Kilah Dandridge:

yeah. It's like I, I know it, but then it's I only know it when I'm taking it during class and then after class it's I forget.

Coach Matthew:

So you can say hi, you can say bye. Yeah. Or like, where's the bathroom? And that's about it. Yeah. So how do you define your legacy and what do you want to be remembered for?

Kilah Dandridge:

I wanna be remembered as somebody like who gave it their all push through no matter what. Always kept a smile on their face, like and was just like somebody that was just there for people. Just, I would just say overall, just somebody that pushed through.

Coach Matthew:

And what impact do you feel like you've made in Spring Mills basketball?

Kilah Dandridge:

I think I made a big impact in spring mosts basketball. Especially like I keep going back 10th grade year, but that was like the, that was the year for us. Yeah, we, that, that team helped put like spring mosts, like on the map. Yeah. All the way on the map. We got recognition. So yeah, I would say that,

Coach Matthew:

But you do keep going back to 10th grade year, but from the outside looking in, that's a big year for you. Yeah. That's a really success. Success. A really successful year. But also like it's a year where you didn't, almost didn't wanna play anymore. Yeah. And so it's like you finding a way to overcome not only just the highs, but like a point where you're really low. Yeah. And I feel like that's like a core memory, like sticks out to you. Yeah. Which is good. Not everybody has those memories. So for like young girls playing. Basketball or playing any sport, what advice would you give to them?

Kilah Dandridge:

Don't let the outside noise get to you. Just continue to chase your dream. Do what you love and that you can overcome anything. Don't let the hay get to you. It, that's a part of, that's a part of the game. Just have fun with it. How

Coach Matthew:

do you feel like you've influenced young girls playing basketball? Is there any moments that sticks out to you specifically?

Kilah Dandridge:

Just them, had a little girl ask me to sign her shoe, so that, that showed me that I'm making a little bit of an impact on some of these girls. I have like little girls that play basketball, ask me questions and stuff like that. So I feel like it makes me feel good, like knowing that I can be that older person for these younger girls.

Coach Matthew:

And so what's your favorite part, or not favorite part, but what do you feel like. Is there any moment that stands out to you where somebody like you gave advice to a girl and I don't know, she like, paid it back in return? Or like you saw where you made an impact?

Kilah Dandridge:

I would probably say like camps, like when I've gone to, when I've worked at camps before. I just, I try to keep the girls motivated. Tell 'em like, like you can shoot the ball, shoot the ball. Yeah. Shoot it more and or drive more and like they'll go and do that and they'll be I did that. Yeah. Like you have to have confidence in yourself.

Coach Matthew:

And then and you talk about Pass had, have you had any girl basketball player or not pass but bridge, have you had any basketball players through that you've gotten to talk to?

Kilah Dandridge:

No, I haven't gotten to talk to any basketball players.

Coach Matthew:

But do you feel like basketball has helped you mentor your kid a lot more?

Kilah Dandridge:

I would say so, yeah.

Coach Matthew:

So how do you stay passionate and motivated about the game after years of competition?

Kilah Dandridge:

I would say what keeps me motivated is watching the older girls watching the girls that are above me. Like they, they motivate me to do better. And knowing that like I am, I'm gonna be going to the next level. So just to continue to work hard and just do what I can do.

Coach Matthew:

Is there like a piece of advice you would offer your younger self when you first started playing basketball at this point?

Kilah Dandridge:

Probably just that there's gonna be like very, there's gonna be hard times in in basketball, but you're gonna overcome them. Like you can overcome them.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah. So if you could travel to any moment in your basketball career, what moment would you go back to? What would you say or what would you do in that moment?

Kilah Dandridge:

Like a good, like

Coach Matthew:

it could be good, it could be bad. Maybe you just wanna relive a moment again.

Kilah Dandridge:

Middle school when we played Wildwood. Okay. And I hit the game winning shot. Hit the game winning floater.

Speaker 6:

Really?

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah. To win the championship. I would say that's a moment that, that I really enjoyed.

Coach Matthew:

Was that seventh grade or eighth grade?

Kilah Dandridge:

Seventh grade.

Coach Matthew:

I know you won all three years. Yeah. Yeah. And you played wild with most of the time.

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah.

Coach Matthew:

So walk me through that play, like what happened in that moment it makes you, that stands out the most to you?

Kilah Dandridge:

'cause I could still think of myself like now. When I was in that, nothing was even going through my head. I was just like, I got the ball. Yeah.

Speaker 3:

Yeah.

Kilah Dandridge:

Just take it to the basket. So I think just winning that, that was just like the best moment for middle school.

Coach Matthew:

So is there like a memorable, obviously that's memorable, but do you feel like there's like an embarrassing moment that you've ever had on the court?

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah.

Coach Matthew:

What stands out to you the most?

Kilah Dandridge:

I feel like I have embarrassing moments on the court all the time. Probably getting smacked in the face with a basketball that's happened to you before. Yeah.

Coach Matthew:

Was it a block or was it just,

Kilah Dandridge:

I think just didn't catch the ball

Coach Matthew:

and it just hits you in the forehead.

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah. That's like a very embarrassing one.

Coach Matthew:

It happens. Have you ever gotten a chance to like, embarrass somebody or break somebody else's ankles?

Kilah Dandridge:

I've done it at practice this year. You broke somebody's ankles at practice this year? I don't remember if they fell or not, but I just remember I, I got somebody.

Coach Matthew:

That's cool. What'd you hit 'em with?

Kilah Dandridge:

I don't even, I don't have nothing like in my bag like that. Like my moves are simpled, like just a regular just crossover. It's just a simple crossover and they just, yeah. Or like a jab step, something like that.

Coach Matthew:

And they just weren't expecting it. Yeah. Loss of center of gravity fell. That's funny. Is there any moments where like you're playing against guys where you've gotten them with a move or.

Kilah Dandridge:

No, but I don't think, I don't know if he was gonna ever let it go, but I played DJ in a one-on-one. I think it was like, I don't remember, it was ninth grade year, but he beat me by one. Okay. But I just, I gave him the benefits and that, like he used to boys ball, so it was heavier for me.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah. But you almost beat him. Yeah. What were you guys playing till?

Kilah Dandridge:

I don't even remember. It was probably like three or something like that.

Coach Matthew:

He almost beat dj.

Kilah Dandridge:

Yeah. He's gonna, he's gonna deny it, but

Coach Matthew:

he probably will. That's funny though. So before we sign off, is there anything you wanna say to the Kingdom before we go?

Kilah Dandridge:

I would say just enjoy life. Live it to the fullest.

Coach Matthew:

Enjoy your life. Live it to the fullest. Never give on, give up on yourself, keep going, persist, keep on moving forward. So it's been episode six, Royal Vision Podcast. Special guest, Kyla Dandridge. I'm Coach Matthew. Peace out. Love you guys.