Connecticut native O’Leary thriving at TCNJ
Through relatives and friends the word reached Kate O’Leary in Connecticut that The College of New Jersey might be a good place to study and play basketball.
O’Leary made the trek south to take a look for herself and the place proved to be perfect.
“It wasn’t a well-known school around my town,” said O’Leary, a Trumbull, Connecticut resident. “However, I decided to look into it and realized it was everything I wanted in a college and it has been a great fit for me.”
The junior has been a perfect fit on the basketball court, too.
“She is hard working, super coachable and growing more and more as a vocal leader for us,” said TCNJ coach Chessie Jackson. “I’m excited to see what Kate can do for the remainder of the season for us.”
O’Leary has played in all 57 games of her career, starting the last 32 and this season she is averaging 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and leads the Lions in 3-point goals with 20.
After a 10-day layoff, the Lions (53) get back on the court Saturday at Delaware Valley at 1 p.m. and look to end a modest two-game losing streak.
“The layoff came at a convenient time,” said Jackson. “We have finals, it allows us to get a few people healthy, focus on the academic side of things and plan strategically for our last two games before the break.”
After DelVal (2-6), the Lions welcome Transylvania University (3-3) to Packer Hall on Tuesday. Former Notre Dame player Morgan Mitchell averages 4.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists with 17 steals for the Aggies.
O’Leary knows the Lions can get things back on track.
“We just need to focus on playing our game for 40 minutes,” said O’Leary, a Health and Exercise Science major hoping to become a Physician’s Assistant. “We can’t take plays and quarters off we have to focus on both ends of the floor for 40 minutes.”
Another bright spot for The College of New Jersey has been freshman Shannon Devitt. She was named the NJAC Rookie of the Week for the third straight week after averaging 11 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 blocks in a pair of games. The rookie also has four double-doubles in her first eight collegiate games.
“This group remains hungry and motivated for a few wins going into the break,” said Jackson. “They are staying focused, positive and determined to finish out this semester well and I’m looking forward to what we can do in the final week.”
TCNJ might not have been that well-known in Connecticut, but now it has a great recruiting tool in O’Leary.
“The past three years I’ve had different coaches and teammates and all of these people have helped me to grown into the player and person I am today,” said O’Leary. “I’ve gotten smarter as a basketball player and my teammates and coaches help push me to become better each day. I’ve met my best friends here at TCNJ and I wouldn’t change my experience for anything.”