Leechburg’s Mikayla Lovelace named Valley News Dispatch Girls Athlete of the Year

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, July 7, 2018 | 8:14 PM

It took just one game for Mikayla Lovelace to make an impact on Leechburg's girls basketball program — a 51-28 victory over Aquinas Academy in the 2014-15 season opener snapped the Blue Devils' losing streak.

If one win was impactful, consider, then, what Lovelace proceeded to do over the rest of her four seasons.

A starter from her first game, Lovelace led Leechburg in scoring all four years despite facing double teams, matchup zones and whatever else opponents threw her way. She smashed the Leechburg all-genders scoring record, finishing with 2,047 career points — the third-most in Alle-Kiski Valley girls history.

Personal records aside, Lovelace's biggest impact came in the team's records. Leechburg won a combined four games in the four years before Lovelace's arrival in a class that also included Hannah Berry, Camero Davies, Makenzie Fello, Daesha Knight and Brittany Robilio. It surpassed that total in the first month of Lovelace's career.

Then came the real winning: three consecutive playoff appearances from 2016-18, the longest such run in school history. Two WPIAL playoff victories, the first two in school history. Two PIAA tournament appearances and one win, also a program first.

And in her final season, Lovelace, an IUP recruit, averaged 23.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4 assists and 3.2 steals to lead Leechburg to a record 19 wins and berths in the WPIAL quarterfinals and PIAA playoffs.

The 5-foot-11 Lovelace, who could play both guard and forward in basketball, also provided offense for Leechburg's volleyball team, which snapped a two-year playoff drought last fall. But it's the job she did in turning around the basketball Blue Devils that makes her the Valley News Dispatch Girls Athlete of the Year. Freeport's Ally DeJidas and Sidney Shemanski also garnered consideration, but Lovelace gets the laurels.

What's the one thing you want people at Leechburg to remember you for?

Probably just me as a person: think about me more than basketball. I don't necessarily want people to think of just me. I want them to think about our team in general and the impact in the community and my personality, having them know me as a person and how I got to know everyone in the community and how they got to know me. I want them to think that this class of 2018 at Leechburg was really nice and helpful.

You've talked about your role models. How does it feel to be one now yourself?

I didn't really imagine that to happen. I always looked up to people and didn't expect them to look up to me. When it does happen, I'm kind of shocked, a little bit. But I do think it's nice. I think it's even good for them because I'm just as excited because I didn't expect them to happen. I had a girl come up to me and ask if she could wear my number, and I said sure. I didn't expect myself to be as good as people think I am. I'm shocked because I don't really think of myself like that. It's just more motivation to make sure that I keep getting better and become a good role model for them.

Basketball was your No. 1 sport, but you also had volleyball. How did it feel to make the playoffs in 2017?

It was nice. I know as a freshman we made the playoffs, and I was on that team. It was nice that I got it the first year of high school and my last year.

What are you working on this summer in basketball?

My jump shot. I know that with my game, I'm more going to the hoop. All my shots are mainly in the paint or midrange, but I'm definitely working on my 3-point shot. I know IUP's team, they focus on the 3-point line. I'm hoping I can improve my shot more just to have more than one threat.

Do you have a sweet spot on the court?

Just like the left (side), more like 15 feet. That's my favorite spot to shoot because I always like to dribble with my left hand, so it's an easier shot for me.

Who are you working with?

I've been working with my dad, and I've been going to Green Tree to work with Coach (Steve) Brodzinski (at Maximum Hoops). He's a shooting coach. I've been working with him.

What have you been up to since graduation?

Still basketball, just trying to stay in shape, stuff like that. We just got back from vacation. We went to the Dominican Republic again this year, so it was really relaxing. Other than that, I've been spending time with family before I go to college.

You've been to the Dominican Republic before?

We went there my freshman year, and we haven't really been able to go back because sports took over my summer the past two years. This would be our second time going.

How did you like the trip?

It's really relaxing. It's definitely my favorite vacation. Just the atmosphere down there is really nice. The people are really nice. Just everything down there looks really nice. You get to see the town in general and help them out.

What did you do?

We went to the beach every day. They have little excursions to do. We didn't do them this year, but freshman year we went and swam with the dolphins.

What's your favorite part?

I like the beach a lot, but I think it's really nice to meet people there. They're all really nice, and just to hear them talk is exciting.

You said you helped people out?

We don't really go down there on mission trips — we just go down there as a family — but if there's extra stuff that we have, we donate them to some of the people working on the resort or some of the local people. My cousin became friends with one of the local Dominicans, so we gave stuff to his family. But it's just it's nice in general.

Any other big plans this summer?

Not really. Just spending time with family in general.

How did you finish academically?

I ended up being the valedictorian.

What was your GPA?

4.66.

What was your favorite class?

I would probably have to say Principles of Democracy with (basketball assistant Damian) Davies. It was all about politics, obviously, but we had debates about different social issues and political issues. It was nice that I could learn everyone's political opinion and just get to hear different sides of politics.

Do you know what you want to study in college?

I'm going to study chemistry.

And do you have an ideal career?

I've been mainly looking at pharmacy, but I'm also looking at engineering.

What do you think of LeBron to the Lakers?

I definitely didn't expect that to happen. I kind of thought he'd stay in Cleveland for a year because I thought he wanted to end off with a ring, but I also kind of expected it to happen because once they said his son was going to a school out there, every time they report about LeBron it's about him being a family man. I didn't think he could be that far from his son, especially if his son's going into high school. He wants to see how good he is.

What do you think of his chances?

LeBron is the best player in the league, so I think wherever he goes, he has a chance to make it. He made it four years in a row in Cleveland, and no one expected Cleveland to make it. He honestly can do that. But I think the Lakers already have a good team; they have a bunch of young players getting better, and I think LeBron's the missing piece because he'll push them all to get better throughout the offseason. I think those younger players are going to get better.

Doug Gulasy is a Tribune-Review staff writer.

Tags: Leechburg