McNally reaches 1,000-point milestone
By Matt Pawlikowski
Sports
Published Dec. 20, 2006

By the time she is done with her career, Kealy McNally should hold most of Rocky River’s baketball records. Just last week, the senior standout eclipsed the 1,000 point barrier, becoming the first Pirate girl to reach that mark. (Photo by Larry Bennet)

Scoring 1,000 points in a high school career is something every basketball player strives to achieve, but only an elite group of athletes ever attain that milestone.

Kealy McNally is one of those elite few.

Last week, with a 14-point effort in a Pirates win over Vermilion, the Rocky River senior not only joined that elite list, but also in doing so, became the first Pirate girls player in the history of the storied program to reach the coveted 1,000 point plateau.

The normally reserved McNally showed some emotion after hitting her milestone, but quickly downplayed the event.

“She just smiled and said ‘thanks’ when we said congratulations to her,’’ said Pirate coach Michael Murray. “That’s about all we could get out of her. She was focused on just one thing: trying to help her team to win.”

While reserved in her emotions, admittedly, McNally  said she was ecstatic about hitting the milestone.

“It’s real exciting,’’ said McNally. “I didn’t even know I was that close to it. I knew I was 128 points away at the end of last season, but it happened so fast. I’m surprised that no one else has made it, but it’s awesome.”

McNally first picked up a basketball when she was in kindergarten, as her older sister Lauren, now a player at Notre Dame College in Cleveland, was playing. She says that it was because of her, along with her father, who played professionally in Europe, that her game escalated to where it is today.

“I used to go to her practices and watch her play, and shoot on the side,’’ said McNally. “We used to have a little rivalry, and went against each other in practice when she played here my freshman year, and it made me a lot better.”

Lauren McNally laughs when asked about that rivalry.

“We had secret little competitions, like before each game, telling each other I’m going to score more points then you,’’ McNally said with a huge smile. “She’d be, yeah right, I’m going to score more points than you, and we’ve always been so competitive. It’s funny because when she first started she was smaller at the time than me, but after years of being out there she surpassed me, and has continued to. I’m just surprised she didn’t get to 1,000 sooner, but I’m very proud of her.”

What makes McNally’s’ accomplishment so significant is the fact she has had to assume many roles since donning a Pirate uniform as a freshman.

“We’ve asked her to do so many things,’’ said Murray. “Her freshman year, she came in and we asked her to play point guard. Her sophomore year, we asked her to play some of the three but some of the four inside as well. Then her junior year she led us to compete for the conference title, and this year you can see how she plays unselfishly. She just wants to win the game, and it doesn’t matter what her stat line is, as long as we win.”

As a player, McNally is hard to guard and if she gets into a zone coverage, she’s almost impossible to cover. But it’s that unselfishness on the court that has propelled the Pirates to the level they are at today.

“That’s just the way I am,’’ said McNally. “I learned that from my dad. I’ve never been a selfish player. If someone is open, pass it; you don’t have to score all the points. I’m just happy if everyone scores. That means it’s a good game.”

With at least 14 games remaining, including the playoffs, McNally will continue her assault on the record books, with the career record for steals up next. She also has a chance to make the board at the school that lists all the athletes who have made All-State.

McNally says she’d put them all on the back burner, though, to work as a team and win not only the West Shore Conference title, but also make a trip to Columbus in March.

“I want to break all the records, including most points in a game,’’ she said with a smile. “ I want all them, but I really want to get this team to Columbus. That’s my goal.”

Murray, who feels the best is still ahead for the Loyola of Detroit-bound senior, says that attitude is what makes him very proud of his pupil.

“That’s what she is about; she wants to win the game, she doesn’t care about her stats,’’ said Murray. “When your best player, all she wants to do is win, it makes it that much easier to coach. I think she is the best kid that we’ve ever had all around, and I think when you have a girl who can lead you in points, and rebounds, and she does it from multiple positions, it’s just amazing.”