Owensboro Catholic High School senior Hannah McKay has been named the 2020 Owensboro Times Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year.
After a stellar junior campaign, McKay entered this season with high expectations. She certainly didn’t disappoint, nearly averaging a double-double and shining all season for the Lady Aces despite drawing most of the defensive attention.
McKay said with the team losing most of their production in the offseason, she knew she was going to have to step up and take on an even bigger role in her final year.
“Individual expectations coming into the season were to figure out a way of having a different role on our team from last year,” she said. “We lost several players that contributed a lot of points to our team, so I was trying to figure out how we were going to make up for that loss.”
She finished the year averaging 18.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. She led the team in combined field goal percentage (56.6%), 3-point percentage (40.0%) and free throw percentage (76.4%). She was six rebounds shy of a season-long double-double.
“I knew that my rebounding was going to have to be a key priority for me,” McKay said. “I also knew I needed to improve my outside shooting. I worked hard over the summer and I feel like I have improved on them both this season.”
In the early going, nearly everything ran through McKay as the rest of the team tried to find their footing. A seasoned player, she knew that developing chemistry would be key to a postseason run.
“I think that I bring a lot of experience to the team,” McKay said. “I try to work hard and be a good role model for the other girls. I try to lift up my teammates and let them know that this team depends on all of us working together and playing for each other. That is how you win games.”
McKay was named the co-region player of the year, making her a finalist for Kentucky’s Miss Basketball. She also helped guide the team to another 9th District title and their third consecutive 3rd Region championship.
“She was a workhorse all year long,” said Catholic head coach Michael Robertson. “She expanded her game, and she just had a tremendous season. She’s a really special player and was a great leader.”
McKay said she was proud to have been able to represent Owensboro Catholic and earn recognition at a school with a long list of accomplished athletes.
“It has been an honor to play for the school and the coaches that have coached me along the way,” she said. “We have great teachers, staff members and fans that always come to our games and support us.”
McKay has already signed to continue playing basketball at Murray State University, and she’s excited to start the next step of her journey.
“I am very much looking forward to playing for (MSU head coach) Rechelle Turner and her staff,” she said. “I have already made friends with some girls on the team, so I know it’s going to be exciting when I play with them.”
