A pair of Lady Aces’ basketball standouts competed with some of the best high school players in the state last week while participating in the Kentucky-Indiana All-Star Classic series.
Mackenzie Keelin and Hannah McKay — who played for Owensboro Catholic as a senior and junior, respectively, last season — earned spots on the Kentucky All-Star teams and competed in a total of four games against their Indiana counterparts.
Both players were honored to make a roster loaded with top talent.
“It meant a lot to be picked,” Keelin said. “I’m proud to make the team and represent my high school. It felt good. I’m super proud to be out there and play with some of the best players in the state.”
McKay said it felt like a reward after putting in so much work all year.
“I was very excited and proud,” she said. “It was such an honor to be considered to play on this team with such amazing athletes. It felt like my hard work must have paid off.”
McKay and her Junior All-Stars team split their contests against Indiana to kick off the week. In her two games, McKay totaled 10 points, 7 rebounds and an assist in about 24 minutes of action.
The Kentucky team lost 89-85 on Sunday at Mercy Academy in Louisville, but bounced back for a 111-107 victory Monday at Jeffersonville (Ind.) High School.
The junior and senior squads for Kentucky squared off against each other Wednesday at Bullitt East High School, with the juniors dominating in a 107-83 win. McKay had a minor injury Tuesday and was unable to play, but was happy to compete in the first two games.
“I felt very humbled to get to represent my school and state in the other two games against Indiana,” she said. “I tried to play hard when I was in and I hope I made everyone proud.”
Keelin and the seniors closed out the week by also splitting their contests against Indiana. After winning 79-74 Friday at Bellarmine University, Kentucky lost 76-71 in overtime on Saturday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Keelin and McKay helped lead the 2018-19 Lady Aces to their most successful season ever. After winning an All-A Classic state title mid-season, Catholic advanced to the semifinals of the KHSAA state tournament for the first time in program history.
“I feel like that was the best way to end my high school career,” Keelin said. “I’m super proud of my teammates who worked really hard to get there. I know we didn’t make it as far as we wanted to, but we made history and I’m proud of that.”
Keelin will now prepare to transition to the collegiate level, as she’ll be playing at Tennessee Tech University next year.
“The next step is to keep improving,” she said. “I need to work on my ball handling and just getting quicker. I’m really excited to go to Tennessee Tech. I’m looking forward to it.”
For McKay, she said this summer will be all about continuing to improve for her senior season. She said she will attend some basketball camps and try to add to her skill set in hopes of leading the Lady Aces to a state championship.
“I am trying to work on all aspects of my game,” she said. “I hope to really extend my shooting range since we lost some great shooters. Most of all, I want to win the state tournament next year.”
