Academy of Notre Dame’s Maeve McErlane is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
The 5-foot-10 junior guard, a first team All-Main Line, All-Inter-Ac and All-Delco girls basketball selection as a sophomore last year, was averaging 19.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg and 4 apg this season as of Feb. 10, then poured in 32 points in a 67-35 win against GA Feb. 11. She already has received multiple Division I basketball scholarship offers. Academy of Notre Dame basketball head coach Lauren Power said, “Maeve is a gifted player and her impressive stat sheet tells half of the story. She’s a gym rat, plays unselfish ball and makes everyone around her better. She wants to play the best and beat the best. Her competitiveness and work ethic is inspiring to her teammates and she has helped elevate the program on so many levels. As good as she already is, she just keeps getting better, so I know the best is yet to come for her.”
Q: What aspect of your game did you work on the most during the past off-season?
A: I worked on setting goals before each game: pace, finishing shots, ball handling, conditioning (strength, speed and endurance) and improving my “in game” IQ.
Q: Tell us a little about your off-season training and what challenges you faced in your training because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A: I worked out dribbling in my basement every day as well as strength training. My brother Taig and I were over at our grandparents’ house, working on half-court in their backyard. One of the biggest challenges that I faced was not being able to translate all our workouts into game situations due to lack of games.
Q: What are your goals for the Academy of Notre Dame 2021 basketball season?
A: Inter-Ac has no playoffs, so the goal (as of Feb. 11) is an undefeated season while taking it one game at a time. Trying to win each possession one by one, and each Quarter one by one. It’s also my goal to become a team leader on and off the court.
Q: Last winter, you were among the candidates for Miss Pennsylvania Basketball, an award that recognizes the best high school basketball players in the state, according to SportsRecruiters.com. Can you tell us a little bit about this honor?
A: I was very humbled to be a part of a special group of great young women basketball players.
Q: What do you think is the strongest aspect of your game? What part of your game are you working on the most currently?
A: I think my strongest aspect is my IQ. Something that I’m currently working hard is being a truly versatile combo guard – being able to dribble, pass and shoot to help our team.
Q: You’ve been playing with the Comets since 3rd grade. What has been your most memorable experience with the Comets?
A: My most memorable moment last year was playing the EYBL 2021 Philadelphia Belles. We played among many high level division one players and held our own. The group of my teammates with the Comets and the relationships with them are what are most special. Those have allowed me to grow on and off the court. The most memorable moment is our Fourth of July fireworks show in Tennessee. That is a story for another time!
Q: Tell us a little about your start in competitive basketball. Who have been your most important basketball mentors; and what was the most important thing you learned from each of them?
A: I started playing competitive basketball in the Highland Park league and had some travel experience with the Chester Biddy boys’ team in Hempstead N.Y. Ralph Dorsey and Zain Shaw were great mentors and allowed me to gain confidence while playing against the boys. I’ve been blessed to have many people in my life that have not only mentored, but have helped, and continue to help, in shaping the person and player that I would like to become. My parents are my biggest mentors – they stress working hard and setting goals. Some of my mentors (and biggest fans) have been my grandparents, coaches, teammates, trainers and brother Taig for always keeping me competitive.
Q: Who is your favorite basketball player, and why?
A: My favorite basketball player currently is Jimmy Butler. He is not only a great basketball player but a great leader.
Q: You wear uniform jersey No. 13 for Academy of Notre Dame basketball – why did you pick that number?
A: The number 13 is always said to be an unlucky number which is why I like it. You create your own luck with hard work and drive. I’m continuing to wear 13 with pride as we lost a dear family friend, Ny’Ques Farlow-Davis, last May 4. Ny’Ques wore No. 1, so the 1 in 13 represents “Ny’Ques the Beast.’ I have always worn No. 3 with the Comets, so 1 + 3 = 13. Ny’Ques will always be close to my heart, and we have a foundation in his name.
Q: What is your favorite course at the Academy of Notre Dame? What do you think you’d like to major in at college?
A: My favorite class at Notre Dame is Biology. I would like to be a business major in college, I see myself as a people person.
Fun facts – Maeve McErlane
Favorite TV show: 90210.
Favorite athlete: Jimmy Butler.
Favorite teams: Philadelphia 76ers, Villanova men’s basketball team.
Favorite place to visit: Aruba.
Favorite pre-game meal: steak and mashed potatoes.
Family members: parents John McErlane and Marnie McBreen-McErlane, brother Taig.
Person I admire most: “I admire my family members the most because they all push me to be the best person I can be.”
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
