LYNN — Some of the best athletes on the North Shore have competed in the Harry Agganis All-Star Games, but on Monday night Bishop Fenwick’s Cecilia Kay capped off her incredible high school career with one last record. The American University-bound forward scored 31 points to help Team South defeat Team North 69-55 in the girls All-Star basketball game. Kay’s 31 points are the most scored in the All-Star Games 19-year history of any athlete.
“I didn’t even realize it was happening. It was just fun to get back on the court and to play again before I head to college,” Kay said. “I never really focus on that type of stuff, it was just good to get a win for this All-Star team.”
Despite Kay’s scoring, Team North made it difficult, moving the ball around and passing up good shots for great shots.
Team South led 35-24 at halftime, but Team North didn’t go away, getting the game to three points halfway through the second half.
One of the players leading the North’s rally was Malden Catholic’s guard Luna Murray (9 points) who was the floor general creating shots for her teammates while playing solid defense. It was Murray’s defense that got the game to within three after she stole the ball at half-court and finished the fast break with a layup to make the deficit 47-50.
That was the closest the North would get thanks to the run generated by Bishop Fenwick. The Crusaders had five players on the South and head coach Adam DeBaggis put them in the game together once it got close.
“I came here straight from a golf tournament, I was really relaxed, I just got back from vacation, but as soon as the score got close, my coaching instinct came in and I started to think of ways to win,” DeBaggis said. “I don’t care what it is, it can be darts or poker. I’m trying to win, these girls are too.”
Bella Lopez-Marin (12 points) started the run for the South with a layup, before a layup by Kay which was assisted by Samantha Dormer (10 points) quickly got the lead back to seven. Kay then knocked down a corner three to put a dagger into the North’s chances of coming back.
Team South didn’t look back earning victory one last time as high school athletes.
Kay talked about how she was grateful to play with her teammates one more time before they depart for college.
“When our last game happened it didn’t occur to me that I would get one more chance to play with them. Us seniors had a special bond this entire year. Just connecting and playing one more time was great. We already have a bond on the court. I just knew I could run to the hoop and Bella would know where to pass it to me,” Kay said.
Although they lost, Team North was led by St. Mary’s AJ Hyacinthe who scored a team-high 15 points. Hyacinthe also received MVP honors for her team.
Lynn English’s Jaeleigh Perry scored 12 points and got to her spots in the midrange hurting Team South with her signature hook shots.
For DeBaggis, the game was special being able to coach his five seniors one last time.
“It’s awesome. I’ll go home and feel nostalgic about it. Being the summer it’s weird because we’re like three months removed from the season,” DeBaggis said. “This is a special group Cecilia, Kate [McPhail], Sam, Tess [Keenan], and Bella. As an adult years later you realize how lucky you are to coach these types of kids. Now I’m old enough where I can understand it in the moment.”
