By Zach Waltz
Assistant Sports Editor
Sophomore forward Katie Healy will return to the Reilly Center court after starting in 16 of 29 games last year for the Bonnies.
Healy led the team in rebounds, blocks and steals last year while averaging 24.6 minutes per game.
With the departure of forward Doris Ortega, Healy looks to receive more playing time this season, and she will likely secure a starting spot at a forward position alongside senior forward Chelsea Bowker.
Healy credits her success last season to her hard work.
“I just did what I needed to do,” Healy said. “I worked hard as a freshman.”
While playing for Lancaster High School in Lancaster, N.Y., Healy led her team to an Erie County Interscholastic Conference (ECIC) championship in the 2011-’12 season. She also won ECIC Player of the Year and All-Western New York Female Player of the Year that season.
Healy had high expectations coming into last season and lived up to the hype. She quickly became one of the most important players on last year’s team.
Healy reflected on her above-average freshman year with humility. She credits the entire team.
“I took care of what I had to and my teammates did what they had to do, and it all came together,” Healy said.
Healy finished in the Atlantic 10 top 20 for field goal percentage, steals per game and blocked shots per game.
Bonnies fans will be hearing Healy’s name a lot this season in the Reilly Center. It looks as though she will be crucial part of the team’s success. Healy’s freshman statistics look promising for what could be a breakout season for the 6’1″ power forward.
Healy said in order to improve on last year’s campaign, she needs to stay focused and play well.
“I just need to do better than last year by keeping the effort up, keeping my play up and staying consistent,” Healy said.
As a post player, Healy is naturally exposed to fouling situations, which explains her team-leading 71 fouls last season. Despite having that many fouls, she only fouled out twice, tied for the team lead with guard Alaina Walker.
One part of Healy’s game that needs improvement, however, is turnovers. She finished second on the team in turnovers last year with 67, behind Ortega’s 81. While not an overly large detriment, Healy said personal goals consist of cutting down on turnovers.
“Obviously, I personally would like to have fewer turnovers and less negative things for the team. Other than that, I just need to keep working hard,” Healy said.
Healy averaged 8.6 points per game in the 2012-’13 season. However, the top three scorers for the Bonnies last year, — Ortega, Walker and guard Cece Dixon — have all left. This leaves Healy as the highest-scoring returning player this year. This should open up opportunities for Healy to move into a scoring role for the Bonnies. Healy’s season-high for scoring came in 26 minutes against Green when she scored 16 points, but she had 14 points in three other games. While offense isn’t a liability for Healy, it is still something she has room for improvement in.
Healy said she worked a little on her offensive game this offseason, but every facet of her game still needs work if she wants to improve personally and help the Bonnies win this season.
“I worked on every aspect of the game this summer and fall,” Healy said. “I’m just trying to do better than last year, individually and as a team.”
