Soon after Liberty High School's Yasso-Rothrock Christmas City Classic basketball victory over Stroudsburg last December, Hurricane point guard, Kaylin West, was named player of the game.

At the time, West said, "It feels pretty good. I won it last year, but personally, I think Taysia [Snead] should have gotten it. She's one of the players who kept us in the game. She picked up the intensity."

According to the Hurricanes head coach Becky Soto, those words spoken by West, Bethlehem Press's Female Player of the Year from Liberty, present a clear picture of who the soon-to-be senior is and where her heart lies.

"She functions on heart," Soto said. "We're a family, and she wants everyone to succeed."

Not only that, West is often the one who is taking the heat, acting as a go-between for the coaches and the team.

"She tells us this is working, and this isn't working, and we respect her for that. She's the engine, and it doesn't work unless everyone is on the same page," said Soto.

West's teammates respect her just as well.

Soto said, "She has that soft voice, and they respect her because she's genuine, not condescending. She's like a big sister, but at the same time, they've played together for years."

Perhaps that's one of the reasons why West took Liberty's first-round loss in district playoffs the hardest.

"Being a point guard, the games go through you," West said. "If we win, you get the credit. If we lose, you take the blame. But everyone is always there for me because we're a family, and when you're comfortable, everything is easier because that's where the trust is built."

If anyone earned the trust of her teammates, it is West.

"The girls specifically told me they don't play the same when I'm not playing," said West. "It makes me feel pretty special, but it can be frustrating."

Soto admits that West's presence on the court is significant.

"She makes everyone look good, and she does it with ease. Her team knows they need her. She would put the team on her back," Soto said.

West was one of three captains this year, and she took the responsibility seriously.

"She is a coach's dream, a great point guard, and a great young woman," said Soto.

Athletically, Soto praises West's instincts in her ability to pick off passes by reading the body. Her rebounding has taken her game to a different level, and West can feel the change.

"My confidence grew. I'm a lot more aggressive now, and I think my defense improved a lot. I'm a lot more up tempo, and I realize what I'm capable of," she said.

By the same token, West praises Soto, who was also her middle school coach.

"We've always been close. We've always been family. I couldn't do it without her. She keeps my head on straight," West said.

West also has a high regard for Liberty track and field jumping coach, Andy Mesa.

"He is probably the most helpful coach. As a freshman, I had never jumped in my life, and I placed right away," said West. "His techniques are great. He makes sure you know what you're doing wrong every single time."

This past season, West won district gold in the triple jump (36-11.00) and district bronze in the long jump (18-01.50). West was also a member of the 4x1 relay that won gold at districts (49.17).

Ironically, it was the triple jump that was new to West this past season, and at districts. Mesa kept it simple, telling West to just go out and win.

West went on to medal at the PIAA State Track and Field Championships in both jumping events, placing sixth in the long jump (17-11.75) and seventh in the triple jump (37-08.75).

"I think I could have gone farther [in the triple] if I had one more jump. I think I would have shocked some people," said West.

Earlier this season, West broke the school record in the long jump.

"The second he marked it, my coach walked over, and we screamed and hugged each other," she said.

Regarding West's Player of the Year honor, she said, "It's insane ... I couldn't do it without my teammates and coaches. So many younger girls look up to us and make you feel good that you're doing something right, and someone wants to be where you are."