Academy of Notre Dame’s Mandy McGurk is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week

The Academy of Notre Dame senior point guard, a first team All-Inter-Ac basketball selection last winter, is off to a great start this season, scoring 29 points against Downingtown East and 25 points vs. West Catholic. The University of Pennsylvania commit averaged 15.9 ppg, 4.7 apg and 3.4 spg as a junior point guard last winter, receiving first team All-Main Line and first team All-Delco honors. She played soccer for Notre Dame this fall and is a member of Student Council. McGurk comes from an athletic family – her older sister Megan was a multi-sport athlete at Notre Dame and played basketball for Bucknell; and her cousins, Kerri and Erin Shields, were basketball standouts at Archbishop Carroll before launching successful college hoop careers.

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 the strongest aspect of my game is my ability to see the court and create scoring opportunities for my teammates. Currently, I am working to become strong and more crafty in finishing around the basket.

Q: As the team’s point guard, how do you see your on-court leadership role on the team this winter?

A: I’m excited to take more of a leadership role this season as both the point guard and as a senior. I think part of being a good point guard is ensuring that everyone else on the floor is in the right place on both sides of the court. I’m eager to use what I’ve learned over the past three years to help lead the team.

Q: This season, you’ve scored 29 points against Downingtown East and 25 points vs. West Catholic. What was the key to your offensive production those nights – what was working particularly well?

A: On those nights, my team was very effective in the transition game which created offensive opportunities. Also, we were aggressive in the press which led to fast break scoring.

Q: You’re averaging 2.3 steals per game this season, 3.4 steals per contest last winter. What in your opinion is the biggest key to a successful steal?

A: I’ve always felt that the key to getting steals is being active on defense. While this doesn’t always manifest itself in a steal, more-often-than-not it makes the offense more difficult for opposing teams.

Q: Tell us a little about your start in basketball, and what sparked your inaugural interest in the sport. What position(s) did you originally play?

A: Although I have always played three sports, basketball was the sport I enjoyed the most. I was drawn to basketball because I felt that I could incorporate my abilities to attack and defend in a fast pace game. I began playing at an early age in the Malvern League, where I played the forward position because of my height. I transitioned to playing point guard through CYO and AAU. 

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

A: My cousins Kerri and Erin Shields, and my sister Megan have always been three basketball players I look up to the most because of their hard work and dedication to the game. Coach Genther and Coach McNichol are two people who I truly believe pushed me to become the best I can be, as they always had my best interest at heart. Lastly, my dad has taught me to have a resilient work ethic.

Q: Who is your favorite basketball player, and why?

A: My favorite basketball player to watch is JJ Redick, I have been following him since he played at Duke and admire his ability to shoot the ball quickly and with unbelievable accuracy.

Q: You wear No. 11 for Notre Dame. Why did you pick this number – does it have any special significance to you?

A: I have always worn this number because both of my parents wore No. 11 in their sports careers and it became the family number.

Q: What do you think you’d like to major in at Penn? 

A: I plan on majoring in economics. 

Fun facts – Mandy McGurk

Favorite TV show: The Office.

Favorite movie: The Great Gatsby.

Favorite athlete: JJ Redick.

Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.

Favorite place to visit: Avalon, N.J.

Favorite pre-game meal: Bagel with cream cheese.

Siblings: Michael, Megan and Matthew.

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