Hey Kailah, keep in touch: Former Cedars star thriving as U. of Delaware freshman

Sometimes when student-athletes graduate from high school, we lose track of them.

It may please you to know that Kailah Correa is doing well at the University of Delaware.

While she is adjusting to the rigors of Division I college basketball and life away from home, the former Lebanon High superstar has encountered success and is contributing to the Fightin’ Blue Hens team. As she grows as a person, Correa continues to stay true to the standards and skills she developed in Lebanon, including leadership.

“I’m definitely still adjusting,” said Correa, during an exclusive phone interview with LebTown. “There are so many things for me to learn and get better at. There are some areas I’m struggling with. I tried to prepare myself, but you can never prepare yourself for Division I basketball. I didn’t feel I was behind, but it’s a lot. I’m embracing everything, but it’s a big adjustment.”

Unless you’re familiar with her make-up, Correa’s immediate impact on the Delaware women’s basketball team might be a bit surprising. A true freshman point guard, Correa has started 11 of the Blue Hens’ 13 games to this point of the season and is averaging 31 minutes of playing time per contest.

Delaware currently stands at 6-7 overall and 0-1 in Conference USA.

“They’re grown women. I’m not going against girls,” said Correa. “They’re bigger, stronger and faster. The physicality is different. In high school, I was able to get away with not eating the right foods. I have to take care of my body because I’m going against women who do take care of their bodies.

“Coming into my first year of playing college basketball, everything was new. I didn’t know where to set the bar. I just put my head down and worked hard. I’ve found out what college is like. I’m trying to be the best leader I can. Being a young point guard, it’s a bit challenging.”

When she’s on the floor, Correa’s all-round game has been very productive.

The 5-4, 2025 graduate of Lebanon High is averaging 12.8 points per game, which includes 19 points off the bench against Navy on Nov. 7. Correa is second on the team in scoring.

Correa is shooting 84% from the free throw line, 45% from the field, and has made 10 three-pointers this season. She also has eight steals, 35 assists, and 37 turnovers.

“I think the key to the success has been my surroundings,” she said. “The team builds me up constantly. The team and the coaching staff believe in me. They hold me accountable. They keep my head straight and they keep me confident.

“I’m in a boat where I’m doing everything I can to win. It’s about being a leader on and off the court and being an extension of the coach on the court. I’m not perfect. It’s hard. Knowing the personnel is something I’ve had to pick up on.”

While she has certainly benefitted from the University of Delaware’s program culture and team chemistry, Correa has also enhanced both.

“It’s definitely challenging,” she said. “I’m giving thanks for my teammates. Respect is something we do here. It’s the culture we’ve built here. Being a new team, it’s hard. Coach (Sarah Jenkins) has set the boundaries from the jump and it’s definitely helped me. But it goes both ways. I’ll take that feedback.

“On the court, we obviously have chemistry. We’re still learning each other. Off the court, we’re always around each other. There’s a genuine care for each other. We’re checking up on each other and getting to know each other.”

Coming out of Lebanon, Correa was presented with a number of opportunities to further her academic and athletic career. While it is still very early, all indications point to Delaware being the right choice, the perfect fit.

“It definitely is a rewarding feeling,” said Correa. “I can genuinely say I’m happy here. I genuinely believe I couldn’t have made a better decision. The culture here is unmatched.”

While Correa was at Lebanon High, the Cedars experienced amazing success. She led them to four Lancaster-Lebanon section crowns, an overall L-L League title, and four appearances in the PIAA Class AAAAAA tournament.

With 2,166 career points, Correa is Lebanon’s all-time leading girls’ basketball scorer. She is also the holder of a number of other program records.

“The love Lebanon showed me for four years was incredible,” she said. “I have people reaching out to me. It makes me feel grateful. They want to see me win and be successful. It motivates me. It keeps me going.

“What I remember most about my basketball career at Lebanon is my teammates, for sure. We grew up together. We were friends off the court first. They were like sisters. The locker rooms, the bus rides, high school was a time I definitely miss.”

Correa, who remains undecided about her college major, has already experienced personal growth, the kind that can only come from being away from home.

“It’s weird a little bit,” she said. “On the basketball court, I’d say I’m mature. But off the court, it’s a little bit of a struggle. At home, I’d always see my mom every day. That was one of my biggest transitions to college. We still have a bond, but it’s just not easy being away from my mom.

“I came in with two other freshmen and we’re close. The upperclassmen have been very helpful. I feel like I’m taken care of here.”

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the number of Lancaster-Lebanon section crowns won by the Cedars during Kailah Correa’s time on the team. The correct number is four. We sincerely regret the error.