By Joseph Staszewski
The learning curves weren’t similar for Kaitlyn Mahon and Emer Moloney as juniors at Archbishop Molloy, but the results were the same.
Mahon was thrust right into the fire after earning the right to replace the graduated Amani Tatum at point guard. Moloney, a shooting guard, on the other hand had to wait her turn playing behind Mahon and Nyasha Irizarry.
Both found success along with the team by the end of the year and know they need to be key components from start to finish in their senior year
“It kinda hit us,” Mahan said. “We were like, ‘Oh, wow, we really need to step it up. We are leaders.’”
The summer has provided a chance to get used to that role by playing with each other and their fellow Molloy teammates for head Coach Scott Lagas and the Shooting Stars. Standout forward Aryn McClure is playing with Exodus, thus leaving more responsibility on Mahon, Moloney and junior forward Emily Peckham.
Mahon found her confidence early last season after Lagas sat her for most of a game in December after a poor performance. It opened her eyes and motivated her to never let that happen again. Mahon, an All-Queen honorable mention selection by TimesLedger Newspapers, was a major catalyst during Molloy’s late season run.
They won four of its last six regular season games and upset Nazareth to reach a second straight CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens title game.
“I think it was Kaitlyn learning how to be a point guard on varsity,” Moloney said. “She just needed time to get used to it and, once she did, she really showed up.”
The 5-foot-7 Mahon blossomed into a consistent and steadying force on the court. She handles defensive pressure well, provides excellent outside shooting and is a good defender. Lagas wants to see her score more this season, much like she did during her two years on the junior varsity.
“I’d like to see her know she has to distribute the ball, but every once in a while she has to go for hers,” the coach said.
Moloney’s aggressiveness grew late in the season as she provided scoring off the bench. She must do that more consistently as she looks to replace Irizarry in the starting lineup next year. The 5-foot-9 Moloney has done so by not losing her aggressiveness. She successfully attacks any opening to the basket and isn’t afraid to dive for loose balls.
“That’s something that’s learned, Lagas said. “She is a very laid back kid. For her to take it upon herself to be a scorer, it’s opposite of her personality. She is the most cool, laid-back great kid.”
Both she and Mahon have garnered scholarship interest from colleges this summer. Mahon has Vermont, William & Mary, St. Rose, Lemoyne, Queens College, C.W. Post Nyack. Niagara, Adelphi, Queens College, St. Thomas Aquinas and Mercy College are looking at Moloney.
It’s just another sign to them that their career will be coming to a close before they know it. Mahon and Moloney are both itching to get back on the court for the Stanners and be one of the league’s most veteran teams a year after being its most inexperienced.
“I’m so excited for the season,” Moloney said. “I can’t wait. Everyone else is going through their turnover now. We went through it last year.”
