Evanston senior Danielle McKinley didn’t start for the Wildkits’ girls basketball team until she was a junior. And she has turned into some role player–as in the role of scoring leader.
The 5-foot-8-inch senior, who played in the post last season because of her exceptional leaping ability, has been in double figures in Evanston’s first 21 games. She’s averaging 20.6 points a game and hitting 51.6 percent from the field. McKinley had a season-high 37 points against Queen of Peace.
No wonder the Wildkits were able to start 19-2.
“She can drive and shoot off the dribble,” said Evanston coach Bill Albrecht, who has two other scorers in double figures: Tanara Golston (13.4) and Angel Mason (12.5). He said McKinley is undecided on her college plans.
Role model: Proviso East coach Terry Murphy is setting a good example for his wrestlers. Murphy, who wrestled at Proviso and then at Eastern Illinois, placed fourth at 165 pounds at the Midlands last month. Murphy moved into second place on the tournament’s list of matches wrestled with 60. He is tied for third place on the all-time list of matches won with 39.
More wrestling: It hasn’t been a smooth senior year for Mt. Carmel’s Andrew Curran, but the 171-pounder isn’t down. Curran, who finished second in Class AA last season at 160, has battled a shoulder injury and a skin rash. “The skin thing has cleared, but there isn’t much we can do about the shoulder,” said Curran, who committed to Northwestern on Wednesday. “I’ll just keep rehabbing and maybe do something after the season.” … Romeoville’s Paul Collum, two-time state wrestling champion at 125 pounds, has been selected to participate on the U.S. team in the 26th annual Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic on March 25 at the University of Pittsburgh.
Honors: Joliet Catholic linebacker Mike Goolsby, who will continue his playing career at Notre Dame, is the only Illinois player named to the Parade Magazine All-America Football team. The team will be presented in this Sunday’s edition…. Offensive lineman Patrick Babcock and wide receiver Mike Lebeter of De La Salle were given first-team recognition on the U.S. Navy’s 24-member Scholastic All-America football team announced recently. The program is designed to reward student-athletes nationwide who excel in sports and academics and use their leadership skills to contribute to their communities. Marian Central running back Adam Jennrich earned third-team honors.
Some helpful hints: Jacobs High School will present a seminar for student-athletes and their parents on “The Realities of College Recruiting” at 7 p.m. Monday in the school’s auditorium. For more information, call 847-658-2500.