Keneagy helps MHS girls start with win

Cougars gain revenge for SCT loss

By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
  Immaculata did not spark fond memories in Susan Keneagy.
   Three times last year, including in the Somerset County Tournament final, she and her Montgomery High School girls’ basketball teammates lost.
   The Cougars wanted to avoid the same to open this season as they produced a 49-39 win at Immaculata behind 22 points from Laura Coletti, 16 from Marcia Voigt and tough defense led by Keneagy.
   ”It was huge,” said Keneagy, a senior tri-captain with Ashley Girt and Rachel Holt. “We knew we couldn’t walk out of that gym with another loss. Me and the two other seniors, we knew we couldn’t lose. I was not losing the first game of my senior year.”
   Keneagy is hoping the game sets the tone for a big year. MHS lost starter Ellen Killian to graduation after last year and when they also lost Lexee Liaskos to transfer, outside expectations were lowered.
   ”We wanted to prove people wrong,” Keneagy said. “I know last year she was a big contributor and she was a big player. We’ve had to prove everybody wrong. Because of her loss and Ellen’s loss, people thought we weren’t going to be as good as we were. We wanted to show everybody we could still win regardless of who’s on our team.”
   Winning on the road at Immaculata goes a long way to proving it, even if it is just the first game of the year against an Immaculata squad that graduated the SCT Most Valuable Player from a year ago.
   ”I don’t think I’d ever wish for Immaculata on the road to start a season,” said MHS head coach Kevin Kretschy, whose team plays at Warren Hills today. “No matter who they have, they’re so tough. They have a great offensive system we struggle with. Every coach would like to start the season with an easier game.
   ”I think it does a lot for us. It proves we’re a lot tougher than people thought. Hopefully we can build on what happened (Friday) night. I don’t think I’ve ever won there as a player, let alone as a coach.”
   The Cougars are hoping to continue the momentum established on opening night. After taking on Warren Hills, they host Watchung Hills in their home opener on Thursday. Last year, MHS upset second-seeded Watchung in the county quarterfinals. MHS is looking forward to the big week after topping the defending SCT champions.
   ”I think it gives us a lot more confidence,” Keneagy said. “But we can’t become overconfident. Any team could do (to MHS) what we did to Immaculata. We celebrated on Saturday, then we have Warren Hills on Tuesday and then Watchung on Thursday. They’re coming back with a lot of revenge. We need to focus and perform like we did on Saturday.”
   Revenge was undoubtedly on the minds of the Cougars on Friday. They last time they saw Immaculata it was at a 10-point loss in the county final.
   ”We definitely wanted to win,” Keneagy said. “We lost to them three times and once was in the county finals. We wanted to show them up and beat them.”
   Keneagy did her part in guarding Immaculata’s Brittany Muscatell. Shauna Mulkerin got loose for 21 points, but Muscatell had a tougher time. Keneagy held her to five points.
   ”People thought Immaculata is down,” Kretschy said. “They still have a lot. They have a girl who is only a sophomore and she burned us (Friday) night for 21 points. They have Brittany Muscatell, a senior. Susan Keneagy did a phenomenal job in man to man on her. She caused fits for Brittany. She forced her into shots she didn’t want to take. People say they’re down. I don’t agree. They have a couple key seniors and some youth, which is what every coach looks for.”
   Keneagy helped a defense that enabled MHS to build an 11-2 lead in the first quarter. It ballooned to 14 at halftime and 16 by the end of the third quarter. Starting fast on the road was a welcome change for the Cougars.
   ”We’re notoriously slow starters,” Kretschy said. “We wanted to give ourselves good shot opportunities early and we did. I think we could have done a better job finishing, but the fact we got those shots was key for us. Whether it was on the fast break or our offense, we got good shots. Having the lead early always helps.”
   Added Keneagy: “We all walked in with a lot of nerves. But the first few minutes, there was doubt. We got up by a lot. In the third quarter, they scored nine straight and their one guard had four straight threes. But we never had a problem. We kept coming back every time they scored.”
   And Keneagy made it tough at the defensive end for a major comeback. Her role this year is much like it was last year in that she guards the opposing team’s best perimeter player, and this year she is being asked to be a little more productive on offense.
   ”Teams are going to key on Marcia and Laura,” Kretschy said. “Susan understands she’s a threat and can score if she has to. I think she’s one of the best defensive players around. If we need her to score, I have all the faith in her that she will.
   ”Physically,” he added, “she understands the game better this year. She doesn’t foul. She was a little lazier on defense before and now she really takes pride in what she does. She’s an underestimated athlete. She can run the floor and score in transition and play great defense.”
   Keneagy is feeling pretty good about the way the Cougars are shaping up to start her senior year. With her defense and some improved offense, she hopes to contribute mightily at both ends of the court.
   ”I definitely have to show a lot of leadership,” she said. “We have a younger team and don’t have a lot of players coming off the bench. I have to step up and be more of an offensive threat. We only have Marcia and Laura inside. We all have new roles this year because we’re such a small team.”
   The first game of the year gave the Cougars a glimpse of what Susan Keneagy can bring to their team. When Immaculata rallied to bring the game within single digits in the fourth quarter before the MHS defense shut the door.
   ”When Immaculata was cutting it close,” Kretschy said, “she rallied the girls on the floor and helped us pull out that win. It was huge.”