Merion Mercy Academy’s Lucy Curry is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
The senior forward, tri-captain and third-year starter is off to a great start this season, scoring 15 points and grabbing 9 rebounds in a 48-36 win against Agnes Irwin, then tallying 15 points against Mount St. Josephs. Last winter, she was a second team All-Main Line girls’ basketball selection, averaging a double/double in points and rebounds, and leading the Golden Bears in points, rebounds and blocked shots and was second in steals. MMA head coach JR Richardson noted, “Lucy poses a match-up problem for teams in our league with her versatility. She is a great role model for our younger players.” Off the court at Merion Mercy, Curry also plays lacrosse, is a co-leader of Spirit Club and a member of the Ministry Team and the National Honor Society.
Q: What aspect of your game do you feel you improved the most in the off-season?
A: I feel I improved most on my confidence and aggressiveness. My teammates and I put in a lot of time during the preseason working on different ways to improve our chemistry and trust in each other. Coach Richardson has stressed the importance of culture at MMA and we have seen it improve every year, which has helped the whole team build their confidence in each other and ourselves.
Q: How do you see your leadership role (on and off the court) as a captain of the Merion Mercy Academy basketball team this season?
A: As co-captain with Monica Merenda and Mary Kate Gray, we have high expectations. We chose the team motto this year “no excuses” because we wanted our teammates to feel accountable to each other. We strive to lead by example and pick up our teammates when they feel down, especially the five seniors (Monica, Erin, Maeve, Francesca, and myself) who have put in a lot of time and effort to help Merion improve over our career. We are always cheering for each other on the court and in the classroom.
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 that one of my strongest aspects is that I have always tried to be disruptive on defense whether it’s a deflection, steal, or block and I am trying to be more disciplined. I’m working on improving my shot and being more assertive. This season I am working on driving to the basket aggressively.
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 have three basketball mentors. I started playing basketball in the 3rd grade. I played for the Radnor Rec league and then I went on to play CYO at my grade school, St. Katherine of Siena. My dad coached me all throughout elementary school and he is the reason why I love the sport so much. When I was a freshman, I joined a newly formed AAU team, All In Hoops. I owe a lot to Coach Murphy. He taught me the value of a team and helped me love the sport more than I did before. I wouldn’t be the player I am today without my teammates and him. He taught me to believe in myself and to not linger on a mistake and move on to the next play. Coach Richardson came to Merion my sophomore year and pushes me to have fun while I play and not put so much pressure on myself.
Q: Who is your favorite basketball player, and why?
A: My favorite basketball player is Steph Curry. I saw him play at my first Sixers game when I was younger. His shot, overall game, and the way he handles himself on and off the court is how I want to be.
Q: You wear uniform jersey No. 32 for Merion Mercy basketball and your AAU team – why did you pick that number?
A: I picked this number because in seventh grade I couldn’t get 3, which I wore prior to that in all my sports, and 32 was the second closest. It has stuck since then, and I’ve grown to love the number.
Q: What is your favorite academic course at Merion Mercy? What do you think you’d like to major in at college?
A: My favorite academic course at Merion Mercy was Algebra 2 in my sophomore year. It was very enjoyable and I had really fun people in my class. I think I want to major in business in college.
Fun facts – Lucy Curry
Favorite book: One of Us is Lying.
Favorite TV show: One Tree Hill.
Favorite movie: Life As We Know It.
Favorite athlete: Alex Morgan.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Industry Baby.
Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Favorite place to visit: Fort Myers, Fla.
Pre-game preparation: “I try to drink lots of water the day of a game to keep me hydrated. I like to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before the game and listen to hype music. Finally, my dad gave me a medallion with a quote on it that is attached to my basketball bag and I say it before every game.”
Person I most admire, and why: “The people I admire most are my parents because they are my role models.”
Family members: parents Jay and Aimee Lynn, sisters Katy (22), Megan (20), and Grace (12).
(To be selected for Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
