McKenna Woliczko Returns with Double-Double in Mitty’s Win

BREAKING: McKenna Woliczko is back! The five-star forward from Archbishop Mitty made her triumphant return to the basketball court on December 8, 2023, after nearly a year of recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. In her first game back, Woliczko shone bright, leading her team to an emphatic 82-44 victory over Clovis in San Jose.

Woliczko wasted no time making her presence felt. Just 22 seconds into the game, she scored on Mitty’s opening possession, quickly putting the Monarchs ahead. The senior superstar finished with an impressive 19 points and 13 rebounds in just three quarters of play, showcasing her resilience and determination.

The Monarchs, now 10-1 this season, executed a stunning 29-0 run that spanned the end of the second quarter and most of the third, transforming a shaky start into a dominating performance. Woliczko expressed her excitement about returning, stating, “I’ve been so excited. I mean, it’s been almost a year. This is the first game I was able to play, and I’m so glad to play it with my teammates. I’m so proud.”

Despite moments of caution as she navigated her return, Woliczko demonstrated her readiness by bouncing back after a hard foul in the first quarter, a crucial step in regaining her confidence. Coach Sue Philips remarked, “It was actually good that she took a hard foul…It’s incredibly exciting for our team, but I’m really happy for McKenna.”

While there are no restrictions on her minutes, Woliczko played approximately half of each of the first three quarters before sitting out the final period. Looking ahead, she will have another opportunity to find her rhythm against Valley Christian on Tuesday before the Monarchs head to Southern California for the prestigious Kay Yow Showcase.

There, they will face formidable opponents, including the top-ranked Ontario Christian, who previously defeated Mitty last season in the game where Woliczko suffered her injury. “It’s gonna be a very tough game,” Woliczko acknowledged. “But it’s kind of nice to be able to play them in a tournament setting.”

The excitement surrounding her return was palpable, with the home bleachers packed with supporters, a rare sight for a nonleague matchup on a Friday afternoon. Woliczko reflected on the emotional nature of her comeback, saying, “I was very nervous, maybe even cried a little bit…But I’m just so grateful that this many people came out to support us and me.”

As the basketball community rallies around Woliczko and her remarkable journey, all eyes will be on her as she continues to build her game and lead the Monarchs in their upcoming challenges. Stay tuned for more updates on her inspiring comeback story.