It seemed impossible - the Auburn girls basketball team needed to win their last six games in order to make the Section III, Class AA playoffs. And it almost happened, but the Maroons dropped their season finale.
Sam Tenney / The Citizen
Auburn senior guard Kelly Grinnell is The Citizen's girls basketball player of the year.
But the main reason Auburn almost snuck into the playoffs was Kelly Grinnell, the school's second all-time leading scorer and The Citizen's girls basketball player of the year.
Despite not making the postseason, Grinnell had a spectacular individual season, breaking the Maroons' career 3-point record (162) and finishing with 1,195 points.
“Some girl down the road will come close to my accomplishments,” Grinnell said. “I might even know some of them, we have a great group of players.”
The first team all-league selection led Auburn in points, steals and assists.
“All of my goals came together this year,” Grinnell said. “I'm glad everything worked out for me after all the hard work.”
Grinnell said she learned how to be a leader her freshman season, when she played with seniors who set the example. Four years later, she is the team's leader both on and off the court, but prefers to share the spotlight.
“I have a good team behind me,” she said. “All nine or 10 of our girls can pick each other up and put in their two cents.”
Grinnell's 3-point shooting ability should come in handy in the fall when she plays Division II basketball at Robert Wesleyan College. And while she's not worrying about the shooting, she will be working diligently on her ball-handling skills - Robert Wesleyan recruited her to be a point guard, not a shooting guard, which she's accustomed to.
“I have a lot of pressure on my shoulders,” she said. “I have a lot of hard work ahead of me.”
She will also be spending time in the weight room so that she'll be ready for the physical play at the Division II level.
And while the competition will be stronger, Grinnell won't miss one thing from high school ball - the double teams.
“In college, there could be another one on the team who can also make 3-pointers,” Grinnell said. “That means (the opposition's) defense will be man-to-man and I won't be double teamed. I'll get more shots and opportunities.”
• honorable mention •
Nikki Schattinger, Auburn • Taylor Baran, Auburn • Jeanice Freeman, Auburn • Emily Felter, Auburn • Michelle Townsend, Cato-Meridian • Sabrina O'Brien, Cato-Meridian • Molly Hourigan, Jordan-Elbridge • Shelby Gilbert, Port Byron • Ali Short, Port Byron • Nica Dare, Port Byron • Katherine Pille, Skaneateles • Emily Call, Skaneateles • Felicia Allen, Southern Cayuga • Beth Rocker, Southern Cayuga • Ashley Bergenstock, Southern Cayuga • Molly Clifford, Union Springs • Margaret Roberts, Weedsport
Despite not making the postseason, Grinnell had a spectacular individual season, breaking the Maroons' career 3-point record (162) and finishing with 1,195 points.
“Some girl down the road will come close to my accomplishments,” Grinnell said. “I might even know some of them, we have a great group of players.”
The first team all-league selection led Auburn in points, steals and assists.
“All of my goals came together this year,” Grinnell said. “I'm glad everything worked out for me after all the hard work.”
Grinnell said she learned how to be a leader her freshman season, when she played with seniors who set the example. Four years later, she is the team's leader both on and off the court, but prefers to share the spotlight.
“I have a good team behind me,” she said. “All nine or 10 of our girls can pick each other up and put in their two cents.”
Grinnell's 3-point shooting ability should come in handy in the fall when she plays Division II basketball at Robert Wesleyan College. And while she's not worrying about the shooting, she will be working diligently on her ball-handling skills - Robert Wesleyan recruited her to be a point guard, not a shooting guard, which she's accustomed to.
“I have a lot of pressure on my shoulders,” she said. “I have a lot of hard work ahead of me.”
She will also be spending time in the weight room so that she'll be ready for the physical play at the Division II level.
And while the competition will be stronger, Grinnell won't miss one thing from high school ball - the double teams.
“In college, there could be another one on the team who can also make 3-pointers,” Grinnell said. “That means (the opposition's) defense will be man-to-man and I won't be double teamed. I'll get more shots and opportunities.”
• honorable mention •
Nikki Schattinger, Auburn • Taylor Baran, Auburn • Jeanice Freeman, Auburn • Emily Felter, Auburn • Michelle Townsend, Cato-Meridian • Sabrina O'Brien, Cato-Meridian • Molly Hourigan, Jordan-Elbridge • Shelby Gilbert, Port Byron • Ali Short, Port Byron • Nica Dare, Port Byron • Katherine Pille, Skaneateles • Emily Call, Skaneateles • Felicia Allen, Southern Cayuga • Beth Rocker, Southern Cayuga • Ashley Bergenstock, Southern Cayuga • Molly Clifford, Union Springs • Margaret Roberts, Weedsport
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