Kankakee Valley sophomore Camry Krueger leads team's turnaround

Confidence has been key for the up-and-coming guard as Kankakee Valley seeks postseason success

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Kankakee Valley High School sophomore Camry Krueger has emerged as a standout player for the Kougars, leading the team in scoring, rebounds, assists and steals. After a shaky freshman season, Krueger has gained confidence and become the engine behind Kankakee Valley's turnaround, which included winning the conference title and the program's first sectional championship since 2021.

Why it matters

Krueger's rapid development reflects the resilience and potential of the Kankakee Valley program, which is looking to make a deep postseason run after struggling a year ago. Her growth also highlights the importance of confidence and experience for young athletes transitioning to the varsity level.

The details

As a 5-foot-6 freshman, Krueger was intimidated by the size and strength of the older players she faced. But she has since blossomed, averaging a team-high 12.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 3.0 steals per game. Kankakee Valley coach Dave Walstra credits Krueger's improved confidence as the key to her breakout season, allowing her to be more aggressive against taller opponents.

  • Krueger averaged 5.0 turnovers per game as a freshman last season.
  • This season, Kankakee Valley won the Northwest Crossroads Conference title and their first sectional championship since 2021.
  • The Kougars will play Fairfield (19-6) in a Class 3A Winamac Regional game on Saturday at 3 p.m.

The players

Camry Krueger

A 5-foot-6 sophomore guard who is the leading scorer for Kankakee Valley High School.

Dave Walstra

The head coach of the Kankakee Valley High School basketball team.

Jenna Walker

A Kankakee Valley sophomore guard who has known and played with Krueger since preschool.

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What they’re saying

“I was definitely scared and nervous because I was playing against a bunch of juniors and seniors who were like a foot taller than me. But I just had to go out there and try my best no matter who I was playing and accept that I was not as big as them and give it my all.”

— Camry Krueger (chicagotribune.com)

“Confidence. When she started out as a freshman, she was going against seniors. She would get trapped by 6-foot, 6-foot-1 guards, and she's, what, all of 5-foot-6. She's still not real tall, but her confidence — she knows she can go right up against them and not back down — is the biggest thing she's really grown with.”

— Dave Walstra, Kankakee Valley Head Coach (chicagotribune.com)

“We know how each other plays. So we know what to expect from one another. And outside of basketball, we're really good friends, and that helps us bring good chemistry onto the court.”

— Jenna Walker, Kankakee Valley Sophomore Guard (chicagotribune.com)

What’s next

The Kougars will play Fairfield (19-6) in a Class 3A Winamac Regional game on Saturday at 3 p.m. with a chance to advance to the semistate round.

The takeaway

Krueger's rapid development from an intimidated freshman to a confident, leading scorer for Kankakee Valley reflects the resilience and potential of the program. Her growth highlights the importance of experience and self-belief for young athletes transitioning to the varsity level.