Making an early impact
CHERRY TWP — Catherine Kelly blends in well with her friends.
The Moniteau freshman stood out on the basketball court.
The Warriors' 5-foot-7 point guard was recently named District 9 Girls Basketball Rookie of the Year after averaging 11.4 points, 5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game this past season. Her teammate, senior Aslyn Pry, was the district's player of the year.
“Those two helped each other,” Moniteau girls basketball coach Dee Arblaster said. “I don't think either has the success she did without the other.”Kelly was part of six freshmen on the Warriors' roster this season. The team finished 14-10.“At times, I had four freshmen on the floor with Aslyn,” Arblaster said. “Catherine did a tremendous job running our offense. She didn't play like a freshman.“We've never had a player win Rookie of the Year before this. She deserves it. Next year, she'll be our anchor.”Kelly said she was shocked when learning she had attained the District 9 award.“It really is such an honor,” she said. “There were a lot of good freshmen on teams in our district. I didn't see this coming. Not at all.”Besides being Moniteau's second-leading scorer, rebounder and assist producer, Kelly led the team in minutes played.“She played 732 minutes, which comes out to about 30 minutes a game,” Arblaster said. “She rarely left the floor ... just to catch her breath, that was about it.”Kelly sank 26 treys, shot just under 70 percent at the free throw line, sank 43% of her two-point shots, 38% of her shots from three-point range.She's been playing basketball since first grade.“I've always loved it,” Kelly said. “All of us freshmen have been playing basketball together since like second grade.“We hang out together after practrice, around school, everywhere. We're all good friends. That helps us when we play. Everything is like second-nature to us on the floor.”Kelly believes defense is the best part of her game. She wants to work harder at her outside shooting.And she knows that next season — without Pry — will be different.“I know my role will change,” Kelly said. “I'll have to get more open shots, probably score more, get everybody involved in the offense.”Arblaster is happy about one thing: She has her point guard for the next three years.“That's a comfort,” the coach said. “Obviously, that position is a vital role on the court and Catherine handles it very well. She's part of a very talented class that will come into its own.“Catherine is a great kid, very coachable. I'm excited that we're going to have her for three more years.”
