×

Parkersburg High’s Shay-Lee Kirby wins Mary Ostrowski Award

Photo by Robin North Parkersburg High’s Shay-Lee Kirby defends University’s Zoe Murphy during the Class AAA state championship game March 9 in the Charleston Coliseum. Kirby was named the 2019 Mary Ostrowski Award winner as the best player in high school’s girls basketball.

PARKERSBURG — PHS head coach Scott Cozzens’ investment in a pair of safety goggles before his dive into the haystack following May’s Parkersburg High School commencement ceremony might be a smart decision. The purchase of a full-body suit may be advisable too so he avoids hay fever.

The Big Reds’ girls basketball leader’s search for a needle in the same mold of graduating combo guard Shay-Lee Kirby could continue ad nauseum.

Players possessing the ability and will to lift their team up on both ends of the floor in today’s basketball game of specializations often proves an overwhelming challenge. Social media and other outside distractions provide more appealing options than players putting in the extra time working and learning to make an equally consistent impact on offense and defense.

Kirby knows no other way to play the hardwood sport. Cozzens’ senior defensive bulldog and offensive assassin jams these two facets into a lanky body capable of twisting and contorting into pretzel-like shapes for steals and layups.

“She is just a tremendous athlete and God gave her gifts he didn’t give me. You just have to let her be herself. We tried to force her into things that weren’t her and it didn’t work. Then we just let her go and kind of play behind her and she has just flourished,” said Cozzens on how she creates her impact on the floor. “She has an uncanny ability to get her hands on the basketball in passing lanes. She can jump like a dear. She can tip balls and has really quick hands as well.”

Kirby’s blend of athleticism, attitude, basketball aptitude and talent screams the kind of player capable of anchoring championship teams.

Back-to-back W.Va. Class AAA state title winning teams if one wishes to get technical.

These gifts brought her another honor as she has been named the 2019 recipient of the Mary Ostrowski Award for the high school girls’ basketball player of the year by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.

Coincidentally, her selection came on the morning prior to her eclipse of last Parkersburg High recipient Heather Hopkins’ all-time program scoring record. Her charity-stripe tosses with 5:51 remaining in the state title game’s third quarter broke the mark. Hopkins won the award in 1992.

“Honestly I was speechless,” said Kirby with tears streaming down her face following the press conference of the Class AAA title game upon hearing of her achievement. “As I have said multiple times it is all about hard work and effort. You have to get on the court and do the best you can every single time. You can’t take anything for granted because you never know when you last game will be.

“It is a blessing honestly.”

To her point, one year after converting the game-winning free throws with 7.5 seconds left in the title game against Buckhannon-Upshur, Kirby again shouldered a heavy load during the run to title No. 2.

With standout all-state teammates Bre Wilson and Madi Mace separately and simultaneously absent from the starting lineup due to injuries, the Big Red anchored Cozzens’ team to the top spot in Class AAA all season.

Double-digit point totals and plenty of turnovers generated from her rover spot in a stifling press were a nightly occurrence.

On the season, Kirby averaged 17.8 points, four rebounds, four steals and two assists per game. Her name also will appear alongside Spring Valley’s Sarah Kelley under most steals in a state tournament game with 10.

All of her effort came without a single desire for personal glory. Her approach to the game she loves best summed up following her attainment of the scoring record. “I do it for my team and the fans,” she said.

“I am just so proud of her maturity and where she has come from last year to now,” said Cozzens.

She will be presented her trophy during the 73rd annual Victory Awards Dinner, which will take place on May 5 at the Embassy Suites in Charleston.

The Ostrowski Award is named for Mary Ostrowski, a former Parkersburg Catholic standout who led the Crusaders to an 88-game winning streak and state championships in 1977 and 1978. She was a three-time player of the year award winner before moving on to a successful career at the University of Tennessee where she was a two-time All-American and the MVP of the 1984 NCAA Final Four.

Frankfort’s Abby Beeman finished second. She led the Falcons to a second straight Class AA state tournament appearance with averages of 23.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, eight assists and five steals.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today