LEXI CAMPBELL-HILLDALE

Hilldale sophomore Lexi Campbell is hoping that a new coach will mean a new beginning for her basketball career at Hilldale as one of the area’s Underclassmen to Watch in 2025.

“When I first started playing basketball, I played up against older girls and started on every team I played on. But when I got to high school last year, I didn’t get to play much which was pretty disappointing.”

But Levi Phillips has come in as the new girls’ basketball coach for the Lady Hornets and Lexi feels things are looking up for her.

“Coach Phillips is bringing in a new style of play which I really like. He’s very positive and I really like him as a coach. I’m much more excited about playing and the possibilities for the season with a new coach and I think his positivity will help make us a better team. I really focused on all the camps and scrimmages we had during the summer, hit the weights a little more and even helped coach some of the little kids to show my dedication to the program.”

Lexi got introduced to basketball through her brother who played for Hilldale.

“My brother Bradley played here, and I remember going to his games. I actually started out in cheer, but I didn’t like it, so I got into basketball and loved it and have played ever since including playing travel ball. One of my best memories in travel ball was on a team my dad coached about three years ago. We were down by two in the final 10 seconds of the game, and I hit the game winning shot and that was great.”

Even though she didn’t play a lot last year, Lexi still managed to average eight points a game and hopes to get that up to 10 a game this year.

“Playing offense is okay but defense is definitely my strong point. I just never take my off the ball and I get a lot of steals doing that and anticipating a pass or a drive to the basket,” said Lexi who is also part of the Hornet track team, running relays and doing the long jump and finished sixth at state last year as part of two relay races.

Coach Phillips acknowledged Lexi’s quickness as he talked about the young sophomore.

“She is extremely fast and athletic and runs the floor well and finishes at the rim and her quickness makes her an asset on the fast break.”

Lexi sees new WNBA player Paige Bueckers as a role model for how she hopes to be playing this year.