EDWARDSVILLE - Kaylea Lacey is a senior forward and a four-year starter for the Alton High girls basketball team that has helped revive the program into one of the area's best in a short period.
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Lacey, one of the key players for the Redbirds in last year's 34-3 campaign and third-place finish in the state, this year has been one of seven seniors who are leading the team in the right direction. She led Alton with 15 points in a 62-39 win at Edwardsville in late January 2026, then helped the Redbirds to a win over Chatham Glenwood 50-31 at home on Jan. 31. Alton's girls stand 24-2 overall on the season with a game at home against Belleville West on Tuesday and Belleville East on Thursday.
Lacey is an Auto Butler Female Athlete of the Month for the Redbirds.
She leads the team in scoring, averaging nearly 16 points a game with 5 rebounds per contest. She has also had several assists and steals over the season.
In a postgame interview following the win over the Tigers, Lacey felt very good about her and her team's performance in the game.
Lacey agreed that the Redbirds, coming off their most successful season ever, want to go one win better this season and win the state championship.
"Yes, we do," Lacey said. "We want to do better than last year, so we want to make it all the way, as far as we can."
The season has gone well indeed for Lacey and Alton, playing with more confidence and just going out and playing up to her capabilities.
"I think it's going well," Lacey said. "I'm just being more confident within myself, and then, just going out here, and playing basketball every day. Just keep working hard every day to get better."
The Redbirds played with aggressiveness and intensity for the entire 32 minutes, and Lacey did agree it's a good sign for her club. Her goals and aspirations for herself and her team are straightforward.
"Honestly, I just want to get past the postseason and make it to state again," Lacey said. "That's my biggest goal right now, to finish out the season strong, and make it back to state. like we did last year, but this time, go further than we did last time. I feel very confident in my team."
