Pickin' Splinters

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Mercy’s Whitaker double-doubles in season-opening win at Fairport

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Katie Whitaker scores two of her 17 for Mercy on Feb. 10, 2021. (Photo: BILLY HEYEN)

By BILLY HEYEN

FAIRPORT, N.Y. — For the first time all night, Fairport had seized the momentum, but Mercy knew how to slow that roll. Katie Whitaker went straight to the block, and her Monarchs teammates rotated the ball before lobbing it in to the 6-foot-5 Furman commit.

Whitaker took one pound dribble, two steps and rose up through contact. She banked the ball home, the whistle blew and Whitaker flexed. Mercy was in control once again.

“Just to stop them on defense,” Whitaker said of halting Fairport’s run, “and do what we know how to do and just win the game.”

The Monarchs opened their season with a 60-48 win at Fairport on Wednesday night. Whiteaker led Mercy with 17 points and 19 rebounds while Caroline Murphy scored 16 and Karli Harnischfeger added 14. Together, that trio ensured new head coach Kara Ingalls would record her first win in charge of the Monarchs.

“It was awesome,” Whitaker said. “There was a little bit of first game jitters, but we definitely got back into the swing of things. Coach K was amazing at preparing us for our first game.”

The Red Raiders had already played once this season, winning Monday against Victor. Mercy hadn’t played since falling in the sectional semifinal a year ago. Wednesday, neither team got off to a quick start as dueling full-court pressure defenses caused problems early. 

Fittingly, though, Whitaker was the first scorer of the ballgame. She’d averaged at least 6.0 points per game each of the last three seasons, but this senior year set up for her to play in a featured role all the time. A commitment to Division I Furman (S.C.) in the offseason only added expectations. 

Whitaker didn’t play like there was increased pressure on her shoulders, though. She provided her usual mix of facilitating, rebounding and finishing en route to a season-opening double-double.

“We have a lot of weapons on the court,” Ingalls said. “And every team we play has to guard all five of us, and we’re just so fortunate we’ve got Katie who draws a lot of attention and that really helps our guards get to show what they have as well.”

Mercy eventually pulled away in the first half thanks to an array of solid guard play, taking a 27-13 lead into the break. Fairport made multiple runs in the second half thanks to the sophomore duo of Ella Meabon and Bella Pucci, though.

Meabon and Pucci both finished with 17, with Meabon the interior presence who could step outside to shoot jump shots and Pucci the ball-handler setting up her teammates before working for her own looks.

For a stretch, it looked as though Fairport’s pressure might mount a major comeback, but Mercy eventually solved it thanks to Harnischfeger and Murphy.

Both guards found space behind the press to beat the defense to the paint, and each finished enough with some added free throws to keep the lead hovering around double digits down the stretch.

“I just love their enthusiasm, their intensity,” Ingalls said. “They have great court vision, and as a coach, it’s so nice to trust your guards with making the decision, and I’m very proud of them tonight.”

There’d be no blown lead for Mercy on its opening night. Instead, Ingalls felt the Monarchs likely learned a good lesson that will help them going forward.

“We’re gonna see pressure from every single team we play when we’re in close game situations,” Ingalls said. “So getting the opportunity to see that in the first game, see how we handle it and being able to improve from now until the end of the season, it’s great. It was nice to see the girls handle the pressure tonight.”

Just as Whitaker had scored the first field goal of Mercy’s night, she had the last one, too. Harnischfeger found her center on a feed that Whitaker calmly hooked in with her right hand from in close.

By that point, seniors Whitaker and Murphy and the junior Harnischfeger had righted the ship and secured a 1-0 start to the season. It was about time to think about what comes next.

“It was a great game,” Whitaker said. “I’m super excited to get the dub, and it’s just the beginning.”

Scoring totals

Mercy: Katie Whitaker (17), Caroline Murphy (16), Karli Harnischfeger (14), Holly Bagley (5), Mary Grace McCann (5), Libby McDonough (3)

Fairport: Ella Meabon (17), Bella Pucci (17), Riley DeRue (5), Megan Thurley (5), Abigail Smith (2), Rachel McCoy (2)

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