By David J. Hill<br><a href="mailto:hilld@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail David</a>
TOWN OF TONAWANDA — In years past, Cardinal O’Hara coach Dan McDermott has seen some drop-off with his younger players as the girls basketball season wears on.
But at the four-month mark, freshman Leah McDonell is just as solid — perhaps even stronger — than when the Hawks began the season.
She had one of her finest games of the year late last month in a must-win game against Monsignor Martin Athletic Association rival Niagara Catholic. McDonell kept her composure in what was a tight contest — the final was 46-43 — and led O’Hara with 17 points in the win, which gave the Hawks the league’s second and last available automatic bid to the state Catholic high schools tournament.
Cardinal O’Hara will tip-off the tournament today with a quarterfinal matchup against Sacred Heart Academy (Hempstead) at St. Dominic’s School.
“Coach (Ray) Smith and I talked to her (Tuesday) in practice about how happy we are that she’s been able to handle the long season,” McDermott, the head coach, said of his team’s leading scorer.
“It’s a tough grind. We’ve played 26, 27 games, and it’s a big jump from a grammar school situation to coming right into varsity as a freshman. We’re happy with the way she’s endured the grind of the season and has kept playing at a high level. We haven’t seen any drop-off whatsoever,” he added.
That’s largely because McDonell is such a well-conditioned athlete. As if playing basketball throughout the winter season wasn’t enough, the City of Tonawanda resident also played travel league soccer. (She earned first team Monsignor Martin South Division honors in soccer.)
“She’s a tough kid who works hard and takes care of herself. That, more than anything else, has helped her,” McDermott said.
He’s not surprised McDonell contributed immediately upon joining the team. He saw a number of her games last year at St. Christopher School, where his daughter also played.
“I certainly saw what she was capable of doing at that level. I saw no reason to expect it to be anything less than it has been (on varsity),” McDermott said, adding that McDonell’s speed and aggressiveness are among her greatest assets on the court.
McDermott may not be surprised by McDonell’s contributions this season, but she is.
“It’s amazing to be a freshman and have this experience,” McDonell said. “I did not think I was going to be starting right away.” Still, McDonell had her eye on a starting role from the moment she joined the team. “I knew I had to prove myself in practice and show that I wanted that spot,” she said.
And McDonell didn’t just work her way into the starting rotation. She also has meshed well with the Hawks’ upperclassmen.
“They’ve accepted her very well,” McDermott said. “You would never know they’re seniors and she’s a freshman. It just kind of seems like it’s been a natural fit.”
Contact reporter David J. Hill at 693-1000, ext. 115.
