Learning how to lead
Over her three years, Kenzie Bradley has run the full gamut with the Catasauqua girls’ basketball team.
She made a splash as a freshman and began playing at both the point and shooting guard spots for the Roughies. Over the past two years, the trend has continued.
Yet, Bradley is ready to undertake another role. With the loss of two starters - the most recent with the past few weeks due to a sudden transfer - Bradley realizes she may have to undertake more of leadership role. She also has been more of an offensive threat, as she was among the team’s leading scorers in two of their previous three games.
“When Giah (Moore) transferred, it was really tough for all of us,” said Bradley. “We have been dealing with it better lately, but we’re still not where we should be. We’re not in the best position right now.”
Bradley was referring to the team’s recent slide in which they had lost five straight games before they hosted Pen Argyl Tuesday night. The downward spiral left them with a 3-9 mark and began to further cloud their chances of getting a district playoff spot in the Class 3A bracket.
“We have had some really good spurts,” added Bradley. “But we also have had some bad ones, too. We just need to play as a complete game as we can.
“It will be very hard (to make districts). We do have the ability and we just have to all pull it together.”
Whether she is playing the point or the two, Bradley has reached a comfort level on the court.
“I have played both and it really doesn’t matter to me,” said Bradley. “I’m just happy to be out there playing. I know I can score and I just want to do what I can to help the team.”
Head coach Ed Seidick knew Bradley would quickly develop in the program.
“She got playing time as a freshman and we knew she would be a big part of the program,” said Seidick. “Kenzie (Bradley) had some big games for us lately. She has stepped up, but we need a couple more girls to do that.”
Bradley acknowledged the constant support from her parents, Steve and Lorrie, as well as older brother and former Roughie standout Zack, who just finished his junior year calling the signals for the Franklin and Marshall football team.
“My parents always have been there for me,” she said. “But my brother has been the one who has pushed me the most. We may not talk all the time, but we are still very close.”
Bradley already has entertained the thoughts of playing a sport in college, whether it will be basketball, track, or field hockey. Her AAU basketball coach is the head women’s coach at the Penn State Lehigh Valley.
Until then, Bradley wants to continue to make her mark with the Roughies.