Scott Keyes
Sports Scene
Although Nouvel Catholic Central lost to Manchester in the Class C championship game, don’t be surprised to see the Panthers vying for another state title next winter.
Even though Nouvel will lose Taylor Hengesbach and Paige Albito, the Panthers will bring back junior Rachel McInerney, sophomore Nicole Buckingham, and freshman Laurel Jacqmain, so the future is bright in the coming years for the Panthers.
McInerney stepped her game up during the playoffs and played a huge role in the Panthers making it all the way to the final game. In the semifinal, which the Panthers won 44-32, the 6’2″ center contributed 16 points, 17 rebounds, and five blocks.
“Rachel worked her tail off all summer long, and you definitely seen her improvement as the season went on,” said coach Kris Hengesbach. “Rachel has played both ends of the court so well during the playoffs, and I am really proud to see how far she has come in this process.”
In seven postseason games, McInerney averaged 16 points and 13.5 rebounds a game for the Panthers. And she’s anteed up by averaging five blocks in each of the last three games.
“I really felt comfortable on the court in the postseason, and to be able to play on a stage this big and play in the Breslin Center is pretty special,” McInerney said.
During the district and regional tournaments, McInerney faced off individually against all-state center and Central Michigan commit Karli Herrington of Hemlock, all-state honorable mention center Sam Shafer of Valley Lutheran, and Reese’s all-state sophomore Reyna Frost — and she beat them all.
“To beat some of those teams that we did was a big achievement,” McInerney said. “I just try my best every time I hit the court. I have really been fortunate this season to grow as far as I have. It was a pretty special season.”