McGrath leads improved Carey

After a 2017-18 season that yielded just one victory, the Carey girls’ basketball team had nowhere to go but up. With most of the roster returning, and a more manageable non-conference schedule, the Lady Seahawks figured to be a tougher opponent this winter.

However, as has been the case far too often in the recent past, Carey has been a victim of Murphy’s Law. The team has dealt with an inordinate amount of injuries and illnesses, and has yet to have a game where all of its players have been healthy.

Victories over Friends Academy and Lawrence got the season off to a good start, but the Lady Seahawks have lost their last seven games, and are yet to find the win column in what is a very challenging Nassau Conference A-II.   

Despite being on the long end of some lopsided scores, head coach Danielle Donahue and her girls continue to work toward respectability. “I’m definitely happy with the effort and morale,” Donahue said. “We have had games against some very strong teams where we have played a good quarter or half, but we can’t sustain it for an entire game. We’ve been overmatched, but we have never shown any sign of giving up.”

As expected, junior point guard Kelly-Ann McGrath has led the way. McGrath, who is averaging just over 18 points per game, scored a career-high 30 in a loss to Bellmore JFK back in December.

Donahue is impressed with McGrath’s growth. “Kelly-Ann is in a league of her own,” Donahue said. “She ups the ante for herself each game. Playing against teams like Elmont, Manhasset, and Sewanhaka is challenging. She brings her game to another level when playing against strong opponents. She is just getting better and better.”

After McGrath torched Friends Academy with a 26-point, 12-steal effort to lead the Lady Seahawks to their first win, sophomore guard Kayla Todzia announced her presence with authority in the home opener against Lawrence.

Todzia scored 16 points as Carey took a big lead in the opening half and never looked back in its 58-49 win. She hit four three-pointers in the contest. McGrath had another big game putting up 21 points with five assists, five rebounds and five steals.

Though she doesn’t register a ton of points, sophomore Emma Cavalli has earned praise from Donahue. With the injury bug wreaking havoc, Cavalli has been asked to play a multitude of positions, and is proving to be a gamer.

Donahue does a great job of keeping things in perspective. “The girls recognize and understand what we are up against,” Donahue said. “They know there are small victories within games. They just have to hang in there and achieve where they can. Whether it’s hitting free throws, boxing out, ball faking, or making a good V cut, the ABCs of basketball are important.  

The Lady Seahawks will look to bring home their first league victory when they travel to Great Neck North on Friday evening at 6:45 p.m.