Big Mac on the attack
By John Enrietto
Eagle Sports Editor
That's probably the best way to describe
The Redhawks are off to a 9-2 start this season and O'Donnell is one of the big
reasons why. She is averaging 14.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game and was
recently named AMCC Women's Basketball Player of the Week.
“Mackenzie has been steadily productive since she's been here and I'm not at
all surprised by that,” La Roche coach Kam Gissendanner said. “I try to recruit
players who can come in here and play right away.
“She's definitely one of those kids.”
O'Donnell has 892 career points and will likely surpass 900 Saturday when La
Roche plays at Hilbert. She fell short of 1,000 career points in high school at
That makes reaching 1,000 in college that much more
meaningful to her.
“Winning games comes first and I'll do what I have to do to help us win,”
O'Donnell said. “But getting 1,000 points is a monumental achievement at any
level. It's something I want to do.”
With a year left to play, O'Donnell will wind up with well over 1,000 points.
With a big senior season, she could push fellow
O'Donnell will become the ninth player in Lady Redhawk history to hit 1,000
points when it happens.
“I'd love to get up there on the career list with Casie,” she admitted. “Having
two
O'Donnell does more for the Redhawks than simply score. She leads the team with
16 blocked shots. She leads the squad in rebounds as well and no teammate is
close to her 62 rebounds on the defensive glass.
“She has great timing on other people's shots,” Gissendanner said. “Mackenzie
provides an intimidating presence inside.”
She's getting better at avoiding foul trouble — and making free throws as
well.
“I still get it in college,” she said of being physically beaten up down low.
“But I've gotten better at keeping my composure. You can't let it get to you
when things happen like that.
“And when they foul me, I have to get those points.”
O'Donnell averaged barely over 50 percent from the free throw line last season.
This year, she is pushing 70 percent, hitting 48 of 69 free throws.
“She has made noticeable improvement there,” Gissendanner said. “Her jump shot
has gotten better as well. She's always working on her game.”
O'Donnell has been good. She's never satisfied.
“I can't say I go out and practice foul shooting every day,” O'Donnell said.
“But I've got a hoop in my driveway at home and I spend a lot of time shooting
out there.
“I'm always involved in pick-up games and I've played basketball against guys
in the summer, too. That helps me because it's better competition.”
Gissendanner recognizes and appreciates O'Donnell's work ethic.
“She works just as hard and she's just as active on both ends of the floor,”
the coach said. “She's a leader that way.
“She got off to a bit of a slow start this year adjusting to some new people in
the lineup and rediscovering her role. But she's coming on strong now.”
In earning Player of the Week honors, O'Donnell tallied 25 points, eight
rebounds and five blocked shots in a 66-48 win over
O'Donnell is the only third-year starter on this year's team. She's in her
second year as a captain — and doesn't take that role lightly.
“I was getting a little frustrated erartly in the season with the way I was
playing,” she said. “I always want to make more shots and more free
throws.
“But I have to be a better leader, too. I'm one of the players who's been around. The harder I work, the harder everyone
works ... and the better we'll be.”