Donovan learned from the best

by Eric Keppeler
Grand Island Dispatch, January 12, 2007

Senior Courtney Donovan leads the Grand Island Vikings with 17 points and 11 boards a game. GI improved to 8-2 overall with a win on Monday against Niagara Falls. (photo by Larry Austin)

Courtney Donovan isn’t the first great leader to play for the Grand Island girls basketball team. She’s only the most recent one.

The 6-foot-2 senior center is a three-year varsity starter, and the Vikings have thrived during her tenure, although she’s always been surrounded by a lot of talent and experience.

This year, she’s one of just two seniors on a very young team that returned only three players from last season. And she hasn’t skipped a beat.

“In the past few years, we’ve had a lot of skill players,” Donovan said. “This year, we’ve got 12 girls that are willing to work really hard towards one goal. We knew that nothing was going to be handed to us, but everybody wants to get better.”

Along with fellow senior Karen Bellanca, Donovan is guiding the way for a young squad that features six juniors, two sophomores, one freshman and a seventh grader.

She’s the focal point of the Viking defense, and she continues to thrive, even though other teams pay her a lot of attention. She’s still averaging 17 points, 11 rebounds, 5 steals and 5 assists per game.

“She’s done a great job of being a leader in a situation where there weren’t a lot of experienced kids coming back with her,” GI coach Jen Banker said. “Courtney and Karen have done a great job of getting this team to gel and playing with the younger kids. Obviously, Courtney is a big focus, but she does so many things for you without the ball. She’s just a major impact.”

The success isn’t just limited to Donovan herself. The team also is thriving, winning seven of its first nine games.

“It was nice having people to spread out the focus,” Donovan said. “This year, I just work hard and trust my teammates. Different girls have hit some big shots. If someone’s open because the other team is double-teaming me, we’re taking advantage of it.”

Like any good leader, she’s doing it by example. Her work ethic and her strong play are contagious, rubbing off on her youthful teammates.

“We graduated seven seniors,” Banker said. “I knew that people would double- and triple-team Courtney, and I wasn’t sure how the other kids would respond. They’re inexperienced, but our seniors have done a great job of leading them. They’re fighters, and they’ve done a great job.”

Donovan says that she is fortunate to have learned the fine art of leadership from the best. When she came up as a sophomore, she was taken under her wing by point guard Meghan Macguire, a four-year varsity starter. Last year, it was Ashleigh Frieday, the team’s all-time leading scorer.

Now it’s Donovan’s turn.

“I’ve had really good people to lead me the last three years – they led by example, so I knew just what to do,” Donovan said. “First it was Meghan, last year it was Ashleigh. So Karen and I have taken everyone under our wings, and everyone was willing to work hard. It’s not hard to get this group focused, but it’s really not conscious on my part because I’ve seen those great players do it for me.”