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Kerr powering Peters Township’s run in girls’ basketball

By Eleanor Bailey 6 min read
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Madison Kerr makes her move around a Keystone Oaks defender during tournament action. The senior led Peters Township to the championship in the KO Tournament and netted MVP honors for herself.

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Despite triple defensive pressure from Keystone Oaks, Cameron Morgan rises up to the hoop for a basket during Peters Township’s 71-29 victory in the championship game of the holiday tournament.

Madison Kerr may have been named Most Valuable Player during the Keystone Oaks Basketball Tournament, but the Peters Township senior reveled more in her team’s success on the court. The Lady Indians defeated Our Lady of Sacred Heart, 61-25, and dispatched the host Golden Eagles, 74-29, to claim the tournament championship and run their overall record to 9-1.

To be named MVP, Kerr said was definitely an honor. “I could not have done it without my teammates though. Wins are more important than awards and points,” she added.

According to head coach Bert Kendall, that’s typical Kerr. “Madison is a very gracious, low-key athlete that stays focused on team goals. She is never worried about her individual statistics but rather how she can make her teammates better. I know our team counts on her every game.”

Against OLSH, the Indians counted on her 15 points. Against KO, it was 16 tallies. She hauled in a team-high 19 rebounds and collected nine steals. Currently, Kerr leads the team in both scoring and rebounding with 15.7 and 10 averages respectively. “She’s the kind of athlete you count on every day,” Kendall said. “Madison leads by example. She’s smart on the court, gracious, and while she is our team leader, she is above all a team player.”

That comes from experience. Not only does Kerr excel in basketball, she has played volleyball since seventh grade in the Peters Township system. In volleyball, she has been an all-WPIAL as well as all-section performer since leading the Indians to the quarterfinals of the district playoffs as a freshman.

Volleyball has contributed to Kerr’s success on the basketball court. She noted the sport has increased her vertical jump, which in turn has improved her rebounding. “You do so much jumping in volleyball that it has helped my game in basketball, especially rebounding,” she said.

“One of the big things is desire when it comes to rebounding. I try to get and I want to get every rebound. That is the goal. I’m not the tallest in that position so I work hard on boxing out and getting a good angle on the ball,” continued the 5-9 senior forward.

“But, the best thing about volleyball and sports in general is the teamwork and family aspect. Playing together definitely develops unity and cohesion and that is important in order to be successful. So is leadership. As seniors, we want to set a good example on and off the court.”

In addition to Kerr, Cameron Morgan, Stephanie Bittel, Anna Wisniewskie, even Rachel Corrigan, despite her ACL injury, have contributed to PT’s start, which has featured victories against perennial playoff qualifiers such as South Park, Trinity, Mt. Lebanon, OLSH and Baldwin. Though the Indians trail Bethel Park (4-0, 9-1) in the Section 4-AAAA standings, they lead the league in points per game (62.2) and points allowed (38.3)

“Our senior leadership has led the way in building a culture of fun, hard work and a team that can be respected and admired,” Kendal said. “I’m proud of them and happy for the part they have played in the turnaround at Peters Township. The seniors deserve a lot of credit in our success.”

Both Kendall and Kerr agreed, too, that a new strength-training program, implemented by Ed Weitholder, has contributed to PT’s fast start. “We worked hard in the off season and made a renewed commitment to our transition offense,” Kendall said.

“Our strength coach, he makes us real sore doing squats, legwork and all that lifting, but we are in good shape,” Kerr said. “That has separated us from other teams. We are able to run for all four quarters and more.

“As a team, we are playing fantastic. We are making our open shots and moving the ball well. You do all that and that will lead to victories,” added Kerr, who surpassed the 1,000-point plateau in her junior year.

Alyssa Konopka and Makenna Marisa helped lead PT to victory in the KO Tournament. Both earned all-tournament honors. A junior, Konopka tossed in 10 tallies as did Ally Zuccarini in the championship win. A freshman, Marisa supplied 13 markers.

“We have gotten additional scoring punch from the guard positions and Marisa continues to put in consistent performance each game,” Kendall said. He also cited the team’s depth. PT often goes nine deep and the Indians emptied their bench in the tournament final. Junior Syndey Hannath along with sophomores Lillian Young and Lauren Stahl as well as freshmen Isabella Mills and Abby Daniels have made strong contributions in the rotation. Additionally, the Indians expect to see the return of Emily Konwick in 2016. The junior broke her foot in the second game of the season, a 50-43 win against South Park.

“We are playing well together and working hard all over to improve all aspects of our game, passing, rebound, defense, shooting and ball handling,” said Kerr. “We are trying to play a complete game.”

A complete game is necessary for the Indians if they are to avenge their lone loss this season. The Lady Indians succumbed to Bethel Park, 61-52, on Dec. 14. The rematch is scheduled for Jan. 18 at Peters Township.

The game was tied, 48-48, with 2:26 to play when the Hawks went on a 13-4 run to clinch the victory. Justina Mascaro fired in 25 points and Shannon Conely followed with 17 tallies. Kerr paced Peters with 19 markers.

“We are excited for the rematch,” Kerr said. “Bethel Park is a good team and they came out on top against us that night. We have to stop their key players and keep an up-tempo pace.”

Up-tempo has been Kerr’s life. She started playing basketball because of her father. Bob Kerr was a standout athlete at Chartiers Valley, excelling in football, basketball and track. He played football at Kansas State University.

“My dad would take me to his recreational (basketball) games and I would dribble on the sidelines and watch him play,” said the 18-year-old daughter of Pam Kerr. “Everything I know, I learned from my dad. He was my travel coach in third grade and he definitely was instrumental in my career. The lessons I learned from him, focus, discipline and never give up, will remain with me long after I am finished playing sports.”

Kerr’s career will not end at Peters Township. She accepted a scholarship offer to play basketball at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Tom McConnell, along with his assistants Kelly Mazzante and Joeclyn Ford, coach the Crimson Hawks.

“They have a fantastic academic program. That was the main reason I decided to go there,” said Kerr, who plans to become a nurse anesthetist.

“(Coach) McConnell and his assistants are the best around,” added Kerr, who also had offers from West Liberty, Niagara, Case-Western and Washington University in St. Louis. “Plus, I want to compete for a national championship.”

Until she matriculates in September, Kerr hopes to help Peters Township win a championship of its own.

“The goals are to compete for the section title and make a run in the playoffs,” Kerr said. “Of course, we’d like to win a WPIAL title.”

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