Wheeler sophomore Kylie Simpson’s typically sunny disposition doesn’t mean she’s content.
The talented 5-foot-7 guard is quick to cast a critical eye on her game. She just doesn’t let that affect anyone else.
“She works really hard,” Bearcats junior forward Izabela Schumacher said. “Even if she might not feel good or if she has an off day in her eyes, which is an on day for all of us, she always has an on day. Even if she thinks she’s not doing as good, she still tries hard. She still works with the team.
“She’s never selfish. She doesn’t have little pity parties. She’s still calm and tries her best and helps us all. She can help us all do better.”
Simpson is certainly doing that as Greater South Shore Conference co-leader Wheeler (10-6, 4-0) puts together its best season in years with a roster devoid of seniors. She’s averaging team highs of 16.5 points, 5.9 assists and 2.9 steals to go along with 4.3 rebounds.
“She’s having a great season,” Wheeler coach Rick Gregory said. “To score and have so many assists, it’s a good accomplishment. She puts a lot of pressure on herself. She always wants to exceed expectations.”
But Simpson continues to exceed herself, according to Gregory.
“She’s very nice — that’s her,” Gregory said. “But she’s tough. She pressures herself. She doesn’t like to lose. She doesn’t like to make mistakes. She’s always trying to improve.
“From last year to this year, she sees the floor so much better. That’s why her assists have gone up. She’s reading the defense better.”
Simpson made an impact as a freshman last season, when she led the Bearcats with 9.6 points, 3.3 assists and 2.8 steals to go along with 4.4 rebounds. She wasn’t sure what to expect.
“I had a good season, but it’s nerve-wracking as a freshman,” she said. “I hadn’t played this level of school, and it’s way faster than middle school, obviously. We’re all super young and all trying to adapt and come together. But our season overall was good.
“Before all of that last year, in middle school and AAU, I was very defensive. I was surprised I did that good offensively.”
Simpson has continued to expand her game.
“I’ve been shooting a lot more and making a lot more shots because last year I didn’t really shoot,” she said. “I just would go in for layups. I’m doing really good on assists, thanks to my teammates really helping me and making my passes good.
“I worked out more in the summer and offseason, so it made me faster and stronger. As I keep playing, I get a better IQ of the game. I can see those passes that I didn’t see before. Now I see them and can make them.”
Gregory saw Simpson’s qualities from the outset. He said he named her one of three captains last season because she was “leading by example in practices.” She’s a tri-captain again this season with Schumacher and junior guard Ava Lukawski.
The Bearcats start Simpson, Schumacher, Lukawski, sophomore guard/forward Brooklynne Jolliff and sophomore guard/forward Grace Renn.
“She’s a great person who passes the ball to everyone,” Renn said of Simpson. “She gets a lot of people open by driving. She’s an awesome teammate. She’s never rude — ever. She’s a very, very good player. She’s awesome. She’s like my best friend.”
Wheeler has already eclipsed its win total from last season, is on track to finish above .500 for the first time since going 17-7 in 2011-12, and aims to challenge for its first sectional title since 2011. The Bearcats lost to Andrean in a Class 2A sectional championship game last year.
“This season has been really good,” Simpson said. “We’re getting better at defense and boxing out. We’re getting better looks. We’re growing together. Since we’re so young, we’re just going to keep getting better.”
