There will be plenty of new faces running up and down the floor at The Shamrock for the Saints’ games this winter.

But at least one will stay the same.

After losing seven players to graduation and two to transfer, Patrick McKay returns as the only player to see action in each game for the St. Patrick boys’ basketball team last year, and he’ll be using that experience to try to guide a young team this winter.

“I’ve taken more of a leader role. These guys are young. They don’t have any varsity experience. This is new to them,” said McKay during the 10th Region boys’ basketball media day. “They’re used to playing middle school, AAU, so I’m trying to guide them and show them this is how varsity is and how it isn’t, and I feel like they’re catching on pretty well. It’s going good.”

The Saints put together an 11-20 season last year. McKay contributed 6.6 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. The 5-foot-8 guard shot 44 percent from the field and over 41 percent from 3-point range. It was an improvement from averaging 6.1 points while shooting 37 percent from the field and 32 percent from beyond the arc as a sophomore.

McKay has often been one of the players bringing the ball down the floor for the Saints, which has also helped the transition to a younger team, especially in the summer when they first started playing together.

“I feel like it helps a lot. We played a lot of summer ball games. I think that was maybe their worry. They didn’t know if they were going to get their shots, but I showed them and they got the ball a lot and how to run the offense. I showed them I’ll get you open shots and I’ll get you the ball,” said McKay. “I think they liked that a lot.”

The only other returning senior from last year’s team is Paul Muehlbauer, who was limited because of injuries. The Saints have also brought back Jack Gallenstein, who played during his sophomore season and has added a strong post game, according to St. Patrick coach Aaron Rigdon.

“It’s just trying to get back in the process of everything. It really helps with Pat because he’s definitely the biggest leader on the team. He has everybody in shape at practice. He doesn’t care how old you are or who you are, he’ll jump on you if you’re not there,” said Gallenstein. “For me, it’s just getting back in the swing of things, but Pat’s definitely the biggest help for all of that.”

They also added some seniors from the soccer team, like Logan Kalb, Pedro Briseno and Paco Franco.

“It’s been tough. I’ve had good leaders. Pat, he’s been a great leader. He’s embraced the role. He’s showing the young guys what’s expected,” said Rigdon. “They’re working hard at practice. I like my group.”

St. Patrick has no juniors and only one sophomore on their roster. The majority of the team – 10 of their 17 players – are freshmen or younger. That group will face several tough road environments early in the season, too. Only three of their 13 games before Christmas will be played in Maysville.

McKay has faith in his younger teammates, but knows that when the ball gets thrown up for season opener against Walden on Nov. 26, he’ll need to be the one to guide them through the ups and downs of the season.

“These young guys – they’ll surprise you, really. They’re very talented. They were well-coached when they were little,” said McKay. “I feel like I have to lead them when stuff is going on on the floor and stuff is getting out of control. I have to recognize that and be like, ‘Alright, it’s time to go.’”

St. Patrick’s Patrick McKay dribbles down the floor during a Dec. 1, 2017 game against Ironton St. Joseph Central, in Maysville.
https://maysville-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/web1_DSC_6158.jpgSt. Patrick’s Patrick McKay dribbles down the floor during a Dec. 1, 2017 game against Ironton St. Joseph Central, in Maysville. Jared MacDonald, The Ledger Independent
St. Patrick senior using experience to guide younger players

JARED MACDONALD

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