Muddy River Showcase Spotlight: Unity’s Kyra Carothers

The Muddy River Showcase featuring 40 of the area’s top senior basketball players from Illinois and Missouri takes place June 17 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game begins at 4 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door.

MENDON, Ill. — A coach’s daughter, Kyra Carothers made a name for herself with her success as a three-sport athlete at Unity High School.

The Mustangs were highly successful because of that.

A standout volleyball player who has signed to play at NCAA Division III Millikin University, Carothers led Unity to a 33-4-1 record last fall — that’s the most single-season victories in program history — and a berth in the Class 1A sectional championship game.

On the hardwood last winter, she helped the Mustangs to a top-five state ranking, a 29-4 record and a spot in the Class 1A regional title game. Carothers was a part of Unity teams that won 28 and 29 games, respectively, the past two seasons — the most single-season victories in program history.

Carothers also qualified for the Class 1A state track meet last year in the high jump.

She will represent Unity on the Illinois squad for the second Muddy River Showcase, taking place June 17 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center.

Here are six things you should know about Kyra Carothers:

Where you plan to go to college: Millikin University

What you plan to study: Sports medicine

Reason you wear your number: No. 23 because it’s a family number.

Favorite high school basketball memory: Winning the Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic for the first time in school history.

Best piece of advice you have ever received: Don’t let embarrassment stop you from trying, which comes from my dad.

Best advice you’d give younger teammates: Enjoy it. It goes by so fast!