McKenna Ireland said playing in her first Class D North schoolgirl basketball tournament game on Monday afternoon was “scary, at first.”
That would make perfect sense.
To be playing for the defending state Class C champion Howlers of Penobscot Valley High in Howland as an eighth-grader can be daunting.
But you wouldn’t have known it by watching her.
The 5-foot-3 Ireland came off the bench and scored 15 points. She also dished out three assists and grabbed two rebounds in the Howlers’ 73-19 victory over Southern Aroostook of Dyer Brook.
“I feel real good about that. I’m happy that we won and happy I got some assists,” said Ireland, who moved to Howland from Lincoln in third grade and has been a key asset off the bench for the Howlers.
PVHS head coach Nate Case has been “very valuable to plug in there as a spark” and has averaged eight points per game.
“I love her to death. Her energy and her effort changes the game,” Case added. “I knew during the summer how important she was going to be.”
Southern Aroostook coach Cliff Urquhart said Ireland has an “excellent future” ahead of her.
“She made a big difference right off the bat. She came in and hit a couple of threes. We played a triangle-and-two on their two best shooters and she was a triangle-and-two stopper,” said Urquhart, referring to Penobscot Valley veterans Rylee Moulton and Brooklynn Raymond.
Case calls the eighth-grade guard “Money McKenna” for her ability to get lined up and hit 3-pointers after just coming off the bench.
Ireland admitted that when she made the team after tryouts, it was hard at first.
“I had to get to know the plays,” Ireland said. “But my teammates and coaches helped me with everything and I settled in. I don’t feel like an eighth grader as much now. I feel really comfortable with my team.”
As the season progressed and her confidence increased thanks to her familiarity with the plays and her teammates, Ireland began receiving more playing time.
And she has shown that she can shoot, handle the ball and distribute it. And she isn’t afraid to penetrate the high-traffic areas to grab a rebound or get off a shot. And she doesn’t hesitate to shoot a three if she is open.
“I was able to prove myself to my coaches,” said Ireland, who hopes to continue to do so.
She said her father, Nick, has played an important role in her development this season.
“He told me the only thing I can control is my attitude and my effort,” said Ireland. “He said just shoot the shots the coach wants me to and if doesn’t play out, hustle back on defense.”
Senior guard Moulton said Ireland brings a lot to the team.
“She is an awesome spark off the bench,” said Moulton. “We are super lucky to have her. She brings a level of energy to the team. We might have been missing something very, very important if she wasn’t on the team this year.”
Senior forward Lila Cummings said Ireland is “small and quick and has a great basketball IQ. She has helped us out a lot.”
Ireland and her teammates will take on undefeated and top-seeded Bangor Christian in Wednesday’s 11:30 a.m. semifinal. Bangor Christian beat Penobscot Valley three times during the regular season.
“I’m looking forward to it,” said Ireland. “I’ll be nervous at first but it will be fun. I believe in my team and that we can get to the state championship.”
