McKay Has Her Day in Alemany’s Runaway Win

Alemany High guard Kelly McKay made quite an impression Saturday night on Katella Coach Joni Easterly.

“Who?” Easterly asked.

McKay, she was told. Played guard. Lit your team up for 18 points.

Easterly wore a blank look.

McKay. Number 31.

“I thought No. 22 (Samantha Rigley) and 44 (Carly Funicello) were their best players,” Easterly said. “Is she one of their best players too?”

Yes, actually, but Easterly can be excused for not noticing McKay. The 5-foot-8 junior is unobtrusive even when turning in the best performance on her team, as she did in the Indians’ 58-39 victory in the opening round of the Division II-A playoffs.

The game was played at St. Francis High because Alemany’s gym has been closed due to earthquake damage.

While her teammates played a bit unevenly, McKay grabbed six rebounds and had three steals. Her 18 points ranked her just behind Funicello, who scored 20. And whether playing tenacious defense or hitting her smooth jump shot, she never changed her placid expression.

“That’s just my personality,” she said. “I get into it, but I just don’t show it.”

Said Alemany Coach Melissa Hearlihy: “She’s such a quiet player, but she does big things.”

Nothing proved bigger than McKay’s eight points in the second quarter, which helped the Indians (24-0) weather the scoring explosion of Katella guard Chris Carillo.

Carillo had 12 of her 20 points in the first four minutes of the quarter, drawing Katella (12-12) to within 21-17 with 4:20 remaining.

But Alemany, the top-seeded team in the division, went on a 8-0 run to close the half.

The night belonged to McKay. With two minutes to play and the outcome decided, she earned the applause of her teammates by diving to force a jump ball.

“She’s worked hard all week in practice,” Hearlihy said. “And it showed tonight.”

* VALLEY GIRLS’ ROUNDUP C19