Villa Maria’s Morgan Warley is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
The senior guard has averaged 15.2 ppg in the Hurricanes’ last five games, as Villa Maria advanced to the PIAA 5A girls basketball state quarterfinals. For the season, Warley is averaging 9.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.4 apg and 1.2 spg. “I think [Warley’s recent scoring spurt] is attributable to her growth and maturity as a player,” said Villa Maria head coach Kathy McCartney.
Q: What is your sharpest memory of the PIAA 5A state tournament win against Mastery Charter North March 11, in which you scored 16 points?
A: My sharpest memory about the Mastery Charter North game would be the amount of focus we had at the end of the game to hit important foul shots. It kept our team in the game and gave us the momentum to finish strong.
Q: As one of the team’s leading seniors, how did you view your leadership role this season? What (in your opinion) has been the best attribute of the Villa Maria team this season?
A: Throughout the whole season I tried to always stay positive and be good role model. During all practices and games I work hard but always try to find the fun in things. Most of us have been playing with each other for a while now we are more like sisters than teammates. Our connection really shows when we are on the floor playing together.
Q: What do you think is the strongest feature of your game? What aspect of your game are you working on most currently?
A: I think the strongest feature about my game is being able to play different positions. If we are going small or big I can adjust my position as needed. One thing in my game I’m still working on is being confident . Missing my junior season due to my ACL injury was an emotional drain as much physical. So I have been working extra hard getting shots in and working on getting to the rim to regain my confidence.
Q: Who is your favorite basketball player and why?
A: My sister Courtney Warley, because she has shown me how much you can accomplish when you work hard for something that you want and she gives 100 percent effort all the time.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.
A: Before every game I spend time with my best friends – Maddy Ryan, Jackie Ford and Myla Warley. We usually go to Wawa or Dunkin’ Donuts and sit in the car listening to hype music to get us ready.
Q: Who have been your most influential basketball mentors, and what was the most important thing each of them have taught you?
A: The most influential basketball mentors to me would my mom and dad for introducing me to the game and helping me to reach my full potential .
Q: You wear No. 20 for the Villa Maria Academy basketball team. What was the reason you picked this number – does it have any special significance for you?
A: Our family number is No.22 in honor of my uncle, and when I was a freshman a senior had that number, so I got the closest number next to it. The next season I decided to keep my same number and my twin sister got No.22.
Q: What is your favorite course at Villa Maria? What do you think you’d like to major in at college?
A: My favorite course at Villa Maria is anatomy. It breaks down the parts of the human body learning the functions and the jobs of each body part. In this class we are also given the opportunity to dissect sheep hearts and brains. In college I plan on majoring business.
Fun facts – Morgan Warley
Favorite book: The Great Gatsby.
Favorite TV show: All American.
Favorite movie: Coach Carter.
Favorite athlete: Allen Iverson.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Let It Shine by Coco Jones and Tyler James Williams.
Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Favorite place to visit: “The beach.”
Favorite pre-game meal: Hot Chocolate from Dunkin’ Donuts.
Person I most admire, and why: “My mom because she is always there when I need her and she has continuously pushed me to my best on and off the court.”
Siblings: Casey, Courtney and Myla.
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
