Time in the gym isn’t stopping after high school for senior Baylee Quisenberry. On Wednesday, November 11, Quisenberry signed to play for No. 9 West Texas A&M.

“Before even being recruited by WT, I knew how good their team was,” Baylee said. “When I saw all the trophies out, I realized that I have an opportunity to win games and championships there.”

Playing college basketball has been a dream for Baylee that she has worked for since she was young. The signing was emotional and exciting for her and her family and friends that were there to support her.

“It was definitely an emotional moment. The amount of time she has dedicated, the hard work, missing activities with her friends, all the practices and weekends put in- it all sort of came together in that moment,” Kalli Quisenberry said. “It was special to have all our closest friends and family there. We so appreciate our Devine family for supporting Baylee and we can’t wait to see what she does at WT.”

On and off court, Baylee’s family, dad, Head Coach Chad Quisenberry, mom, Kalli Quisenberry, and sister, freshman Preslee Quisenberry, have been her loving support system.

“We know how much she has sacrificed and to see her accomplish this dream and goal, we are so proud,” Kalli Quisenberry said.

Next fall, Baylee will be attending school in Canyon, Texas and playing on the Lady Buff women’s basketball team for the 2016-17 season.

“When I went on the visit, I was really impressed with the campus and athletic facilities,” Baylee said.

Baylee has been a four-year varsity basketball player in the Arabian athletic program under Head Coach Jim Sessions and played for AAU program, SA Finest, for seven years under Coach Ray Caldwell.

“Baylee brings a very high basketball IQ that filters through the rest of the team,” Head Coach Jim Sessions said. “ She’s a great student in the classroom and a great student of the game.”

Baylee has earned all-district and all-region honors, and was the 4A Express News Player of the Week.

“Playing with Baylee for the past three years has been a blessing,” junior Jenna Sadler said. “She has been a mentor to us younger players, taught us about the approach and preparation of the game, and showed us how to be a leader.”

5-9 guard, Baylee, averaged 15.3 points, five rebounds and 5.6 assists her junior year and 16 points, 4.9 rebounds and five assists her sophomore year.

“Baylee is a very hard worker and there’s no doubt that she will transition well at WT,” Head Coach Jim Sessions said.

Baylee has also overcome the obstacle of injuries in her basketball career. In 2011, after what doctors thought was just a sprained foot, Baylee was diagnosed with RSD, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. This is a chronic nerve disorder that causes the brain to send pain signals out to the body. Baylee had nerve blocks injected into her lumbar spine over the course of six months and took medicine to treat her RSD for four years.

“I think that battling injuries through my high school career has made me a lot tougher. It is extremely hard to sit on the bench and watch my teammates play, but it gave me a different point of view,” Baylee said. “I hope to remain healthy this year and take good care of my body so I can be with my teammates every step of the way.”

Last season, Baylee tore a tendon in her wrist in a freak accident during a district game. She was out for some of the season but joined her team for the three playoff games.

“I’m so proud of my sister and her accomplishments. She has a passion for basketball and worked extremely hard to reach her goal,” freshman Preslee said.

For her senior year, Baylee has an extra special teammate on the court with her. After years of supporting eachother on and off the court, sisters Baylee and Preslee get to play as Arabians together. What better teammate to have to support and push you than your sister.

“Baylee inspires me to work harder everyday. She is a great role model,” Preslee said. “I have only missed a handful of Baylee’s games. She has a way of keeping her composure the entire time and that is one thing that hasn’t changed about her. Baylee has also always been a great leader; she never lets her team lose track of their goal.”

Baylee has spent a lot of time visiting colleges across the nation interested in her and took a lot of consideration in her decision to go to WT.

“We were looking for a floor general with a high basketball IQ and are happy we found that in Baylee,” WT head women’s basketball coach Kristen Mattio said. “She is a skilled point guard who comes from a really good AAU program, SA Finest, and was coached by the very well respected Coach Ray Caldwell.”

Devine has enjoyed watching Baylee play and lead her team in all the years she has been in the athletic program since middle school.

“My experience with Ray Caldwell at SA Finest made me feel prepared for WT,” Baylee said. “I think that playing against the best competition in the U.S. has forced me to raise my level of play.”

In the last two years, WT Lady Buff basketball went 62-6, had back-to-back Elite 8 appearances and a national championship game appearance in 2014. Baylee is excited to carry on her success from the small town of Devine to West Texas A&M as a Lady Buff.

“Baylee is an intelligent player who can run the show at point guard, score in a variety of ways and we love her competitive drive and spirit. She is a taller point guard who has the ability to score over opponents and be a play maker,” Mattio said. “Baylee is a tremendous student in the classroom and we are excited to have her join the Lady Buff family.”

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