Lynn Daily Item: Lynn's Connolly Stars at Framingham
By: Joshua Kummins
Former Lynn Classical standout Monta Connolly has been playing basketball since she was in fifth grade, a long time ago. However, time flies when you're having fun.
"It's gone by so fast, and I can't believe it's my last year," said Connolly, now a senior and tri-captain at Framingham State University. "It's all just seemed to fly, so now I literally have one more go at it. It's crazy."
Connolly's "last go" is off to a strong start as she is averaging 7.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, two assists, and 3.2 steals per game. She finished last season as the team's third-leading scorer (11.4 points) and one of four players to average in double figures, while also pulling down nine rebounds.
After a broken right arm limited her to playing in 16 games (and starting only six) in 2014-15, Connolly ― who was named to the All-Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Second Team last season ― feels fully healthy, noticing an improvement in her ability to possess the ball and make moves to the basket.
"I had a little bit of difficulty getting into the game, doing crossovers, and pretty much anything," said Connolly. "I just lost it a little bit and wasn't as confident. Coming back, I honestly feel great, and the girls have helped me out a lot."
As fourth-year head coach Walter Paschal said, Connolly's story is an example of how fast things can change in sports.
"She's been great. It's funny because she was thinking about not playing at the beginning of her junior year, for whatever reason," Paschal said. "Now, here she is ― her junior year, she becomes an All-Conference player, and she's easily one of our best defenders."
Connolly has scored at least once in every game this season, but her lone double-digit effort to date was a 16-point night in the Rams' Nov. 19 win at Wheaton. After that game, she was named Most Valuable Player of the Cheryl Warren-Powers '95 Tournament. FSU beat Newbury the night prior, and also has wins over Curry, Lasell, Mount Ida, and Suffolk on the year.
As a team, the Rams enter the week with a 6-0 record and average 80 points per game, more than all but one other MASCAC school. Four of FSU's wins have come by a 20-point margin or larger.
Connolly has enjoyed the challenge of being a captain ― along with senior teammates Sarah Palace and Alycia Radcliffe, especially as this year's team has come closer together and is stronger in numbers with 12 total players.
"This year, our team slogan is 'Just Us,'" Connolly said. "Over the past years, we've had girls get hurt, fail off, and haven't had full practice teams, but we still have come very far. We finished in second place last year, but hopefully we can get closer this year. We can pretty much rely on each other, so I love being a captain on this team."
Another one of those 12 players is Tiphani Harris, a sophomore forward from Revere, who is averaging 4.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest and earned her first career start to open the season.
Recruiting from the North Shore is not new to Framingham State as its football program regularly pulls from the area, but it's a region from which Paschal hopes he can recruit more players.
Connolly played against Harris during her high school career and has relished the opportunity to have another North Shore native on the team.
"It was pretty awesome to see her (Harris) come to Framingham, and (to play) with her instead of against her because she's a great post player," Connolly said. "We practice together as shooting partners and she's actually helped me a lot with my post moves. In high school, I wasn't a post player, so Tiphani and the girls have helped me a lot with that."