Girls Basketball: McGovern Finishes L-Way East Career in Style

Kelly McGovern said the finality of things didn't set in until the opening lineups were announced on Tuesday.

That's when the Lincoln-Way East senior realized that her four-year basketball career at the school was about to end.

The Fordham-bound athlete will have shoulder surgery on Wednesday in hopes that she'll be ready to compete next season.

On the downside, McGovern won't be able to finish up this season with the Griffins.
In her final game for East, McGovern scored 12 points, contributed five assists and added three steals against visiting Lockport.

She was one of four Griffins who reached double figures to help their team claim a 61-42 SouthWest Suburban Blue win in Frankfort.

"I realize that it's over and that I'm not going to be with my team in the end," McGovern said. "But it was a great way to go out and I couldn't be more proud of my team.

"It really didn't hit me until they announced the starters. Having all of my friends and family here was huge. It wouldn't have been the same without them.

"It was awesome to see us win and to see everyone else do really well. I know other kids are going to step up and make big plays and it's going to be fun to watch."

Also a standout soccer player during her years at East, McGovern will continue her basketball career at Fordham University in New York.

McGovern is just one of four Griffins who competed for all four years on the varsity during coach Jim Martin's 10 years with the program.

Until she left Tuesday’s game with 30 seconds remaining, her supporters held up pictures and signs and cheered loudly for East's number 21.

"Kelly is a special kid," Martin said. "She had a great career here and she'll be fine since she's going to move on to bigger and better things."

The Griffins (15-4, 6-1) took the lead for good at 17-15 with two seconds left in the opening quarter when McGovern put in a short runner.

Leading 20-17 in the second quarter, East went on an 11-0 run with McGovern scoring five points and Caitlin McMahon (14 points, 12 rebounds) adding four.

East led 39-24 at the break with McMahon scoring 12 points, McGovern adding 10 points and Tess Madden (16 points) contributing eight more.

In the third quarter, the Porters (11-7, 4-3) closed to within 46-38, but the Griffins scored the last two baskets of that period.

The hosts scored the first nine points of the final quarter to complete a 13-0 run as they gave McGovern a nice going-away gift.

Julia Piech scored 12 points and added 10 rebounds for the Griffins, while Taylor Johnson chipped in with seven points.

The Porters were paced by 15 points from Gintare Surdokaite and eight points apiece from Stephanie Karl and Taylor Quain.