Women's Basketball
last updated 12/08/2009 05:45 PM

BETHLEHEM, PA. (December 8, 2009) – The way Kutztown University junior guard Meredith Starr (Richmond, VA/Monacan) figured, she had no choice but to like basketball.

“I have two older sisters and they worked hard at everything,” Starr said. “Plus I was too young to stay home alone, so whenever they left the house for a game, I was forced to go to the court and watch them play.”

Now, her older sisters, Mallory and Megan are watching their kid sister blossom into one of the top point guards in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). Starr, along with sophomore men’s basketball player Ryan White (Philadelphia/Franklin Learning Center) were recognized and honored as an “Unsung Hero” during the monthly Lehigh Valley Basketball Organization Luncheon at Starter’s Pub Tuesday afternoon.

Starr has helped the Golden Bears to a 4-2 overall record by averaging 8.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Starr’s statistics don’t begin to do justice to her role for the Golden Bears. A biology major, Starr plays with the ferocity of a Mike Tyson left hook. She runs the team like a seasoned veteran and carves up opposing defenses with the precision of a surgeon.

“She’s our general,” Kutztown head women’s basketball coach Janet Malouf said. “She has a good understanding of the game. She plays hard and with the intensity that I like. She’s the reason why our team runs as evidenced by her assists.”

Starr’s biggest assist occurred during her senior year of high school. As Malouf went to a high school tournament to watch Starr, she came away also impressed with current junior forward Melissa McQuade (Pittsburgh/Shaler). McQuade, who leads Kutztown in scoring (15.7 ppg.) and rebounding (8.3), and Starr highlighted a very good recruiting class. Talk about your 2-for-1 specials.

With 231 career assists, Starr is an extension of Malouf. She gets players in the right positions and knows when she needs to pass or shoot. Starr started the season with a 13-point performance in an 87-76 road victory at Wilmington. In the Golden Bears’ last game, Starr scored 12 points in an 87-54 conquest over University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

Yet, it’s the subtle things such as deciphering difficult-to-figure defenses, getting the ball to one of her teammates in their sweet spots, providing encouragement and flashing her engaging smile that Starr contributes to the Golden Bear success. Those traits make her more valuable than a gift card during the holiday season.

“I like being the leader of the team,” Starr said. “I think this year, I am more confident. My freshman year, I was a little nervous to tell the upperclassmen what to do but now it’s a lot easier to be a team leader.”

Last season as Kutztown won 20 games for the first time since the 1999-2000 season, Starr enjoyed her supporting role. Starr started every game and averaged 5.5 points per game. She was tied for second in the PSAC in assists per game (4.8).

The Golden Bears conclude a four-game home stand Wednesday night when it hosts Washington Adventist, formerly Columbia Union, at Keystone Hall starting at 6 p.m. Kutztown finishes its nonleague schedule with away games at Lemoyne (Dec. 22) and Philadelphia (Dec. 29) before hosting Gannon on Jan. 2 in a PSAC crossover contest.

Everybody’s confidence grew following last week’s 80-76 defeat to 10^th ranked California (Pa.). Starr made a play near the end of the game that would’ve been destined for SportsCenter had she did it in an NBA arena. Late in the game with the Golden Bears trailing by five, Starr sacrificed her petite body into her bench to steal an inbounds pass and flip it behind the back to McQuade, who scored. (the play was reminiscent of the Dennis Johnson-to-Larry Bird in the 1987 Eastern semifinals against Detroit).

“We were angry that we lost, but we were upbeat because we know if we play like we did against a nationally-ranked team then anything is possible for us,” Starr said. “Our early schedule should definitely prepare us for our conference this year. I know everybody is focused."

As Starr enjoyed a plate of tossed salad roasted potatoes, grilled chicken breast and baked ziti, she reflected on what being named the “Unsung Hero” meant to her.

“This means a lot to me,” Starr said. “I am glad coach notices how hard I work and how much effort that I put into everything. I am definitely humbled because this award is special. It’s good to be noticed for all the things that sometimes others don’t see.” 

--KU--