1994-95 ALL-VALLEY GIRLS : Basketball Team : Player of the Year : Funicello Takes Heat for Alemany

When Carly Funicello stepped on a basketball court as a freshman in 1992, she had little experience but a wealth of potential.

Funicello had never played organized basketball, but her 6-foot-3 frame and athletic ability was an irresistible combination for Alemany High Coach Melissa Hearlihy.

After struggling to learn the game her freshman season, Funicello developed into a key player for the Indians as a sophomore, helping Alemany to an undefeated regular season and the Southern Section Division II-A championship.

Although Alemany didn’t enjoy the team success of last season--the Indians lost in the Division II-AA title game and the semifinals of the Southern California regionals--Funicello, now 6-4, expanded her game and became the focal point of opposing defenses.

No small accomplishment, considering Funicello, 16, plays on the same team as senior forward Samantha Rigley, the Times 1994 Valley Player of the Year, and senior guard Kelly McKay, Misson League Player of the Year.

“Last season, teams would come in knowing they needed to shut down Samantha,” Hearlihy said. “This year, it’s switched to Carly. She’s the one everybody is concerned about.”

Funicello averaged 15 points and eight rebounds a game, competing against some of the top players in the state.

And after a plan for a temporary home facility failed, the Indians played every game and practice on the road.

“It got to be pretty diffiuclt,” Funicello said. “We had to go on the freeway just to practice. When we look back it will seem like some great times.”

Funicello excelled in two of Alemany’s toughest games. She scored 20 points and had 13 rebounds and six blocked shots against Mater Dei, the Southern California Regional Division I champion. Funicello dominated a playoff game against Westminster, scoring 22 points.

Next season the pressure to put up similar numbers will increase for Funicello, who will play for the first time without McKay and Rigley.

“It will be very tough playing without Samantha and Kelly,” Funicello said. “Samantha started my basketball career, she’s the one who convinced me I could play, and Kelly’s been my role model the past two years.”

But Hearlihy believes Funicello will be ready for the inevitable triple-teaming next season.

“Its been great for me to have a kid like Carly,” Hearlihy said. “I’m not sure I’ll have a 6-foot-4 talent like her at Alemany ever again.”