New Philadelphia Lady Quakers continue to honor Number 4

Kevin Cornell speaks at the Tuscarawas County Girls Basketball Preview Night Monday.

DOVER – Nine Tuscarawas County girls varsity basketball coaches spoke at Monday’s Tuscarawas County Girls High School Basketball Preview Night at the Tuscarawas County Senior Center.

However, it was New Philadelphia Coach Kevin Cornell who said something that’s likely to make everybody root for the Lady Quakers.

“If you come to a game, I hope we hit a lot of three’s. We’re going to hold up fours, not because we are bad at math. But we lost one last year – Lila Kinkade. She was Number 4. She was a freshman last year who passed away at the start of the season with a bout of leukemia. She was someone who loved basketball. I promised myself that every time I speak, I will always bring her up because that’s why we coach.

“So the girls love her. Nobody will ever wear 4 as long as I’m there.

Lila Kinkade

“But every day we hit a three, the fours go up from the team and the coaches and fans, and so selfishly, I hope we hit a whole bunch of them.”

The New Philadelphia girls basketball team begins the season with three road games starting November 22^nd at Mansfield Senior. The Quakers first home game is Saturday, December 6^th, at 12:30 against Madison Comprehensive at New Philadelphia High School where they hope to raise their hands with four fingers outstretched.

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