ALLENTOWN: Freshman Hartshorn settles in for Redbirds

By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
   Kali Hartshorn tried to come to as many Allentown High School girls basketball games as she could last year.
   Now the Redbirds are playing the freshman point guard in as many games for as many minutes as possible. Hartshorn has been the leading scorer and a floor leader for a 10th-seeded Allentown team that was scheduled to open the Central Jersey Group III state tournament on Tuesday at seventh-seeded Middletown North on the strength of two big wins and a strong county tournament showing.
   ”I think being a freshman and trying to be a leader out on the floor and getting used to the plays, it’s a whole new ballgame,” Hartshorn said. “You have to get used to that.
   ”I didn’t know what to expect,” she added. “I just go out and play my hardest every game and hopefully expect the best.”
   Hartshorn had been a standout player in middle school and her transition to high school didn’t take long.
   ”I think after a couple scrimmages we had, I felt comfortable with the plays and how Coach ran things,” Hartshorn said. “Besides that, I feel comfortable. Now I’m comfortable with my teammates and I have a good understanding of where they are and how they play basketball.”
   The Redbirds have put together a strong season in a Colonial Valley Conference Patriot Division that has tested them every game.
   ”Six of our losses were to those teams,” said AHS head coach Linda Weise, whose team improved to 14-9 with a 45-27 win over New Egypt on Saturday in a Shoot for the Cure game that supported cancer research. “The other two we faced tough competition (in the Eastern States Christmas Invitational Tournament) and St. John Villa. It was all to tough competition. We beat everyone else in the CVC.
   ”The second part of our season was tough. Our conference was the toughest in the CVC. It was Ewing, Lawrence, us and Hopewell. Having to play those teams gave us six of our losses. Three were to Lawrence, Hopewell hasn’t lost yet, Lawrence was second seed and Ewing was the third. We had our work cut out with that conference.”
   Included in their wins are victories over traditionally difficult teams Notre Dame and Trenton. Then last Thursday, Allentown avenged a two-point loss to Ewing in January with a 62-55 win over Ewing.”The day before each game, we go over scouting reports,” said Hartshorn, who had 18 points in the win while Mandy Hornyak added 17 points and Kathleen Kyle had 14 points. “We try to shut down their key players. We try to keep their key players under 10 points if we can.”
   Their strategy helped them win their Mercer County Tournament opener over West Windsor-Plainsboro South, 51-38. It was another solid win for a team that is young and growing. Bianca Santos led the way with 14 points, Hartshorn had 12 points as did Hope Narozniak. All three are freshmen.
   ”For Kali, the future is bright, and with our program,” Weise said. “Bianca had a big game, with 14 boards and 14 points and Hope came off the bench and had four 3s, so they gave us a lift against West Windsor South.
   ”To have these freshmen step up at this point is nice. I don’t look at them as freshmen so much anymore. They’ve had the experience and know what’s expected of them. Where we need to improve is learning how to finish out these close games.”
   The Redbirds’ MCT run ended despite 15 points from Hartshorn with a 53-40 loss to Lawrence, a team that had beaten them twice before and eventually reached the MCT final with a team loaded with experienced seniors.
   ”Last year, we lost to them four times,” Weise said. “They’re a tough team and defend hard and pressure you. Having seen these teams in the past few weeks will help prepare us for the state tournament.”
   Hartshorn feels that she has developed her game plenty over a season of competing with older players.
   ”It’s been a real experience,” Hartshorn said. “I was playing travel basketball with older girls, but I love playing with Allentown. It’s been a real good experience to play with juniors, seniors and sophomores.”
   Hartshorn has posted a career-high of 25 points, and scored double digits in all but five of the Redbirds’ games. She has the ability to make the 3-pointer or get to the basket.
   ”She’s as competitive as they get,” Weise said. “She doesn’t like to lose. She really has improved as the season has gone on. She’s done a nice job of running the point for us. When she plays under control, a lot of good things happen. She’s really been playing well for us and carrying our team the second part of the season.”
   Hartshorn is hoping that she can help the Redbirds can extend their season. Every game is another chance for her and the Allentown girls basketball team to improve their game.
   ”We have a young team,” Hartshorn said. “We have a lot of learning to do. We’re all experienced players, it’s not like we can’t play basketball. But we have a lot of learning. We have three freshmen on the team and a lot of juniors coming back.”