Lower Merion’s Owen McCabe is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week (Jan. 9-15)

A few weeks before the Lower Merion boys’ basketball 2022-23 season began, LM head coach Gregg Downer noted that McCabe, a 5-foot-9 junior guard, “has had a great off-season and is ready to contribute.” McCabe has contributed in many ways to the Aces’ 9-1 start, providing solid scoring, tough defense, fine ball handling and even rebounding. In a recent comeback win against Garnet Valley, McCabe came off the bench to score 18 points (4-for-6 from 3-point territory, 6-for-6 from the free throw line) and make four steals. His older brother Connor played basketball for the Aces a couple of years ago. A versatile athlete, Owen McCabe also plays baseball in the spring for Lower Merion.

 

Q: Tell us a little about your basketball activity in the past off-season. What aspect(s) of your game did you work on the most during the off-season?

 

A: During the off season, I was trying to get into the gym as much as possible. My main focus was getting my jumper more consistent by getting as many shots up as possible every day. With the help of Coach Gallman, who is an assistant coach at Lower Merion, I also felt like I was becoming faster and better conditioned, and becoming a better defender.

 

Q: What do you think is the key to effective rebounding for a guard like yourself?

 

A: Being a smaller player, rebounding can be challenging at times. When I’m rebounding, I know I need to stay low and always put my body on someone and just keep boxing them out. I also try to be sneaky at times and just try to find the open area and slither around defenders. Small guards like myself should also not shy away from crashing down for offensive rebounds, as there are a lot of long rebounds to be grabbed.

 

Q: One of the trademarks of your team is good defense, and that was key to the Aces’ run in the win against Chester. What in your opinion is the biggest key(s) to playing good defense?

 

A: One of the biggest keys to playing good defense is definitely communication. When our team is communicating, I think we are a very good defensive team. Toughness is also a big key to playing good defense, and our team has a lot of that.

 

Q: What has been your favorite experience with the team so far this season?

 

A: One of my favorite experiences with the team was the recent win over Chester at Widener University (Dec. 30). There was a lot of history behind this matchup and to be able to come away with a great team win was truly a cool experience.

 

Q: What part of your game have you worked on the most recently?

 

A: Most recently I’ve been working on my inside game and trying to be more aggressive going downhill, but I still have a lot of improving to do in this aspect of my game.

 

Q: Tell us a little about your start in basketball, and the influence your older brother Connor has had on your basketball career.

 

A: I started playing basketball at a very young age, what exact age I’m not too sure. I always loved having a basketball in my hands and playing against my older brother Connor. He is a great role model and watching him play throughout his basketball career was exciting and made me love the game even more.

 

Q: Who have been your top basketball mentors, and what was the most important thing you learned from each of them?

 

A: My top basketball mentors would have to be my grade school basketball coaches at Saint Margaret’s, Mark Streeper and Eric Riley. They both taught me a lot about this game and the correct way to play. I loved playing for them and will never forget those memories.

 

Q: Who is your favorite basketball player and why?

 

A: My favorite basketball player right now is probably Tyrese Maxey. I love watching how Tyrese plays the game. He brings so much energy onto the floor and always has a smile on his face. You can see that he truly loves the game of basketball.

 

Q: You wear uniform jersey No. 0 for Lower Merion basketball – is there a reason you chose that number?

 

A: I chose to wear number 0 because of Tyrese Maxey. I try to bring the same energy out onto the floor as he does.

 

Q: What is your favorite academic course at Lower Merion? What do you think you might like to major in when you go to college?

 

A: My favorite academic course at LM is physics. I’m thinking that in college I would like to major in economics.

 

Fun facts – Owen McCabe

Favorite book: The Other Wes Moore.

Favorite author: Suzanne Collins.

Favorite TV show: Friday Night Lights.

Favorite movie: Rudy.

Favorite athlete: Mike Trout.

Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Remember the Name.

Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.

Favorite place to visit: Bemus Point, N.Y.

Favorite pre-game meal: Pasta.

Person I most admire, and why: “My Mom because she is very supportive and hard-working.”

Family members: parents Bernie and Julie, older brother Connor.

 

(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)