LebCo Athlete of the Week: Kenzie Eckhart

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Featuring photos by Heather Daub

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Kenzie Eckhart

During the week of January 19th, Kenzie Eckhart delivered one of the most impactful stretches of her senior season, helping lift the ELCO Lady Raiders during a critical push toward the postseason. Eckhart led ELCO to two key wins while producing across three high-stakes games, scoring 20 points in a statement home victory over Cocalico before erupting for 28 points on the road at Blue Mountain. She also added 18 points in a hard-fought loss to Manheim Central, continuing to set the offensive tone for the Raiders. Those performances earned her the votes as she was recognized as LebCo Athlete of the Week.

“It was a really big week for the team,” Eckhart said. “We went 2–1 and made a push toward districts. I was able to provide scoring in all three games, including 20 against Cocalico, 18 against Manheim Central, and finishing the week with 28 at Blue Mountain.” 

Just as important, she was nearly automatic at the line—going a combined 27-for-30 from the free-throw stripe in three close contests, repeatedly converting when games hung in the balance.

After a brief pause in the schedule due to winter weather, Eckhart and the Raiders returned to action on Thursday night for a Senior Night showdown against rival Northern Lebanon. Early in the second half, she calmly knocked down a pair of free throws to reach the coveted 1,000-point milestone for her career to become just the 9th player in program history to do so. But the night wasn’t finished there. With seconds remaining, Eckhart delivered again—scoring the go-ahead basket to seal a walk-off victory and cap a memorable evening.

ELCO followed that performance with another important win over Garden Spot on Friday night, further strengthening its case for a District 3 playoff berth. The late-season surge has been especially meaningful given the early loss of fellow senior and half of ELCO’s two-headed scoring attack, Maddie Stout, to a knee injury—making Eckhart’s leadership and production even more vital.

Eckhart’s personal goals this season were clear. “My goal was to reach 1,000 career points, which I accomplished against Northern Lebanon,” she said. “Another goal is to shoot 80 percent from the foul line and average eight or more rebounds per game.” Those benchmarks align closely with ELCO’s team objectives.

“Our goals are to make districts, win a rivalry game, and have a high free-throw percentage,” she added. “My leadership, scoring, and rebounding have helped us have a chance to achieve those goals.”

Eckhart’s impact goes well beyond the box score, too. Head coach Karl Keath praised the senior’s all-around athleticism and steady presence through a season that has tested the Raiders in different ways.

“Kenzie not only excels on the basketball court, she is an excellent soccer and track athlete,” Keath said. “Kenzie has worked very hard and our team has responded to the challenges this season has thrown at us under her leadership. Kenzie is a recruiting steal for LVC.”

She is quick to credit the people around her for her success, thanking her coaches, trainers, teammates, and family for their constant support. A decorated performer, Eckhart has earned two All-Tournament selections and an MVP award at the Hamburg Tournament, along with First and Second Team Section 3 All-Star honors during her sophomore and junior seasons. 

A true multi-sport athlete, Eckhart also competes in soccer and track, and she plans to continue her basketball career at Lebanon Valley College while majoring in Speech and Language Pathology. Athletics, along with Dutchmen pride, run deep in her family—her mother, Jennifer, was a three-sport athlete at LVC, and her sister Kailey is currently continuing her basketball career there as well.

Away from the court, Eckhart enjoys spending time with friends and family. One fun fact: she’s played basketball in 11 different states through high school and AAU competition—covering some of the top players in the country along the way.

Congratulations to Kenzie on being named LebCo Athlete of the Week, and best of luck to her and the Raiders as they continue their push toward the postseason.

Photos by Heather Daub

LebCo Male Athlete of the Week: Nick Weidman

Past Winners

Olive Brandt (Week ending 1/18)

Hayley Sheroky (Week ending 1/11)

Ryan Stopper (Holidays)

Qynne Demler (Week ending 12/21)

Kylee Trostle (Week ending 12/14)

Maddie Stout (Week ending 12/7)