Sacred Heart’s Kayleigh Doyle is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
The senior point guard leads the PIAA District 1 2A champions in scoring (11.7 ppg), assists (6.7 apg) and steals (6.2 spg) and is second in rebounds (4.8 rpg). In the district championship game, she scored 15 points, dished out six assists, made five steals and grabbed five rebounds, leading the Lions (who had four new starters this winter) to another district title. Sacred Heart basketball head coach Zach Shuler said, “Kayleigh has really set the tone for our team on both sides of the floor; after we graduated six seniors last spring, it’s been remarkable what she’s been able to do from a leadership standpoint.”
Q: What is your sharpest memory of the District 1 2A championship game?
A: When I think back to the championship game, the moment that comes to mind was in the locker room at halftime. We came out strong that game and were playing really well as a team, so at half time we were feeling pretty good about ourselves. When Coach Shuler came into the locker room, the first thing he said was, “Good half,” followed immediately by “But we’re not done yet.” He made it very clear we had to come out as if the score was 0-0 because Bristol was a team that was capable of coming back. That motivated us to make another run in the second half, and that put the game away.
Q: How did you view your leadership role this season? What (in your opinion) has been the best attribute of the Sacred Heart team this season?
A: I knew that, as the senior point guard who had the privilege of playing with Kyra, Caitlin, Sami, Liz, and Dani the last three years, I was going to have to step up and be a role model for the younger girls this year. Playing in the Catholic Academies league can be tough for anyone, but four of our top seven players are underclassmen and for some of them, basketball isn’t even their first sport. Before the season started, I called a meeting and told them our goal isn’t winning the ACAA, but winning the district championship. Throughout the season, this team never backed down, even when we were losing. They continued to give 100 percent on every play, against some very good opponents. I think we really matured significantly because of that, and it’s a big part of the reason we played so well in the district playoffs.
Q: What do you think is the strongest feature of your game? What aspect of your game are you working on most currently?
A: Defensively, I believe I contribute by getting deflections and steals, especially in our 1-3-1. Offensively, I feel I have sufficient experience to handle the ball and run the offense, and I enjoy finding the open player and getting an assist. I’m not naturally comfortable as a shooter or scorer, so releasing my jump shot quicker and finding ways to get to the basket in the half court offense are things I continue to work on.
Q: Who is your favorite basketball player and why?
A: My favorite basketball player is definitely my mom. My Nana always tells me stories about how much fight and passion my mom had when she played, despite her small size. My mom, who was a walk-on on the Villanova University 1984-85 squad, was a very good point guard, which is the same position I play. So I have been learning tricks from her since she started coaching me in second grade. My Nana is now 89 years old and was able to attend our district championship game last week. That might have been the highlight of the year for me.
Q: What do you think is the biggest key to making a successful steal?
A: My position in the defense has been very helpful. This year, Coach Shuler put me at the top of our 1-3-1, which makes it easier to get steals. From there, I can pressure the ball handler at half court, trap along the sideline or come from behind once the ball goes into the high post. It’s a fun defense because most teams think they see a passing lane, but don’t realize we’re already on our way there to shut it down, so it generates a lot of steals for all of us.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.
A: The day of the game usually consists of music on the bus rides to the game followed by more music in the locker room and music as we warm up. We might even make a Tik Tok video or two. In addition to our stretches, this helps us get loose.
Q: What do you think you’d like to major in at college? Is there a career path that particularly interests you at the present time?
A: As of now, I am planning to go Pre-Med next year in pursuit of a career as a pediatric orthopedist dealing with sports medicine.
Fun facts – Kayleigh Doyle
Favorite book: The Circle, by Dave Eggers.
Favorite TV show: The Office.
Favorite movie: The Downton Abbey Movie.
Favorite athlete: Jalen Brunson.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: “Pure Water” by Mustard, Migos.
Favorite team: University of Maryland Terrapins.
Favorite place to visit: Montauk, N.Y.
Family members: parents James and MariBeth, brothers Kevan (19) and Shane (13) and golden retriever Mackey.
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
