Girls regional basketball: Kennedy Morgan leaves indelible mark on Highland

CANTON — The Highland girls basketball team has reached incredible heights over the last four seasons, evolving into a force to be reckoned with. A strong group of seniors and the leadership of coach James Madison has had a lot to do with that. One player in particular has been a big piece in the puzzle and racked up a ton of individual accolades along the way. Sharpshooting Kennedy Morgan and her team's season came to a tough 68-44 end Thursday night at the hands of Archbishop Hoban in a Division III, Region 9 semifinal, but the 5-foot-8 Morgan and her teammates have a long list of things to be proud of. "I think the last four years with these senior girls has been my favorite time of the year," she said. "Getting better with them every single day in practice and all the games, that's all I could ask for." The Hornets (25-1) advanced to the regional level for the second time in four seasons, won the Suburban League American Conference crown and captured 25 straight victories to start the season before falling to Hoban (23-2). Morgan, Aleena VanKirk, Grace Weber, Grace Madison and Bianca Pallante have played their last high school game, but they also have set the tone for all future Highland teams. "We set a record for wins and district championships in the last four years," said Morgan, whose mother, Terri, coached many of her youth teams with Madison. "Us seniors definitely made an impact." Morgan, who entered the game averaging 13.5 points, scored a season-low four points in the loss, but her ability to handle the ball was most important. Highland struggled all night against the high-pressure, full-court defense of the Knights, and the few times Highland beat that pressure, Morgan often handled the ball deftly up the court. "I definitely try to step into roles," Morgan said. "When we are struggling, I try to be a leader and if that means bringing the ball up the court, then that is what I will do. I try to be really vocal and bring positives even though we didn't play our best." She also finished with four blocks — often against bigger players in the post — and the unselfishness of the red-haired senior is one of the many things that provide an example to those hoping to follow in her footsteps. "She set a good example for working hard and being about the team," Madison said. "The young girls look up to her." One of those players who is pretty close to her on and off the floor is younger sister Madi Morgan. The younger Morgan moved into the starting lineup as a freshman, and having big sis there meant the world to her. "It is so exciting," Madi Morgan said. "I am glad I got to share this moment with her. I wouldn't have it any other way. I loved playing with her. I am just so proud. I know these seniors and my sister really wanted to come back here from when they were freshman. I am really grateful to be a part of this for her and all the seniors." All the team accolades are great, but Kennedy Morgan has had a few big individual honors come her way as well. More are to come when the All-Northeast Inland District and All-SL American teams are released. The Ohio Northern recruit surpassed 1,000 career points in the season opener and steadily climbed the school and county leaderboards. "It just shows how hard I have worked," Morgan said. "That shows on the court. I think reaching personal goals was important, but winning is the most important thing." Morgan finished her outstanding career with 1,336 points to rank 14th in Medina County history and third in school history behind only Jill Smith (1993 graduate, 1,465) and Julie Kafun (2002, 1,361). Smith's son, Landon Sooy, is currently the starting point guard for the record-setting boys team. The progression from being a high-scoring bench player as a freshman to one of the best shooters in school history is one thing Madison looked to when asked to summarize Morgan's career. "She really got better every year," said Madison, one of the leading scorers in Cleveland State history. "She really dedicated herself to improving on the things that she wasn't good at, and she worked her way into being a really well-rounded player." Contact Chad Grant at sports@medina-gazette.com.