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DEL.ICIO.USTribute paid to departing Cain
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Four years ago, Kelley Cain walked onto the court at St. Pius’ comfy little gym as a wide-eyed freshman with no idea of what was to come. She strutted off it Friday night to a standing ovation, a majestic symbol of excellence.
She and her team did away with Southwest DeKalb, 54-37, in a manner that embodied her brilliant career. That is, when it came do to it, Cain got it done.
A blocked shot here. A left-handed put-back there. And on and on. Suddenly, a game that the Panthers had visions of taking was overtaken by one of the most dominant players of her era.
The endless pats on the back and hand slaps were the St. Pius community’s way of saying, simply, “Thanks.”
“It’s been great here,” Cain said afterward, her Senior Night plaque clutched against her body. “I was pumped up and ready to go. I wanted to end my four years in this gym with a win.”
Cain was the anchor, as always, but the catalyst was sophomore point guard Morgan Toles. Gritty and cunning, Toles is the reason St. Pius has more than a puncher’s chance to take its third state title and second in a row of the Cain epoch.
Toles, who played nearly the entire game in fifth gear, scored on two strong drives in the fourth quarter, the last one putting the Golden Lions comfortably ahead, 44-32.
But her on-court leadership and control — even in her youth — are invaluable.
So, there was quite a poignant moment amid the hoopla of Cain exiting the court for the final time in a regular-season game. The 6-foot-3 star slapped hands with the 5-foot-6 10th-grader — the keeper of the court soon to be gone acknowledged by the new ruler who is just arriving.
No doubt, Toles will assume command of the team next season, and she has had the personification of grace and class in Cain to learn from this season.
“She’s just a sophomore,” Cain said, shaking her head. “She’s already a great player. Imagine how she will be when she is older.”
Cain said she did not imagine the career she has crafted. But once she started working under coach Stephanie Dunn, “I knew anything was possible,” she said.
“She’s such a great leader and coach. And the entire coaching staff has been great. You can’t help but respect them all.”
If this sounds like goodbye, not so fast. There remains the matter of going for another championship. “We lost three seniors, one starter, so we expected to be a good team again,” Cain said. “But it hasn’t been easy. We’ve had a target on our backs for every game. That’s the way it is when you are champions. We know we’ve got to come with our ‘A’ game.”
Their “B” game was enough to hold off Southwest DeKalb, which received an admirable effort from Charenee Stephens. But Cain and Toles got valuable aid from Krista Tate, Taylor Davidson and Alaina Smith to go to 22-3 on the season.
One of St. Pius’ losses was to Collins Hill, which is led by the nation’s No. 1 player, Maya Moore, who was on hand to support her friend perhaps one last time Friday night.
The two will be rivals next year with Cain at Tennessee, Moore at Connecticut. It won’t leave much time for reminiscing about their sensational high-school careers.
Permalink | Comments (15) | Post your comment | Categories: Curtis Bunn
Comments
By Winston
February 11, 2007 12:27 AM | Link to this
From Saturday’s paper.
By Doug
February 11, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this
Good article. Cain is truly one of the most dominant, if not, THE most dominant female center in GA Basketball history. You can’t help but applaud her efforts at Pius these past four years. And Morgan Toles is a player in her own right. Pius will still win championships after Cain leaves. Good job sis
By Minnie Moore
February 11, 2007 11:51 PM | Link to this
Congratulations Kelley, I am so proud of you. Kelley, just exactly how tall are you? I am confused because I thought were about 6 foot 6 inches tall. Am I wrong. Be that as it may, you are an awesome young lady with a tremendously bright future ahead of you. Your Aunt Minn is very proud of you, as is your entire family.
We love you and are expecting great things from. “You go girl”!
By Susanne
February 12, 2007 07:32 AM | Link to this
And if y’all had a chance to talk to her, she’s about the nicest girl in GA basketball history too. We’re sure proud of all she has done at Pius both on and off the court. Keep smilin’ Kelley!
By Maureen McCarthy
February 12, 2007 08:49 AM | Link to this
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Kelley, it has been a pleasure to read all about your accomplishments so far. I know you will continue this path, and I want to wish you all the best in the future. Proud of you girl…keep up the good work!
By Big Daddy
February 12, 2007 08:58 AM | Link to this
Love Ya Big Girl
By Benita Brown
February 12, 2007 09:01 AM | Link to this
Always has been and always will be (in our hearts anyway) a Bulldog!! Good luck on your future endeavors. We are so proud of your accomplishments to-date.
Much Love.
By Cathy & Hugh Evans
February 12, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
We are very proud of you and knew from the moment we met you that you was a a blessed and gifted child. Continue to stay focus and keep God first in your life.
Love you,
Cathy & Hugh
By Ms. Colleen
February 12, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
Kelley you make it look easy, displaying excellence in athletic, academic and social skills. I am very proud of your accomplishments thus far, and look forward to success in Tennessee.
By Mark Kelly
February 12, 2007 01:20 PM | Link to this
Curtis - I want to thank you for the wonderful article about Kelley. I am the athletic director at St. Pius. It has been such a joy to watch her play. More than a great player, however, she is an outstanding young lady. I believe you captured that in your comments. Kelley is loved by every student and teacher here. She will be succesful at whatever she does in life. Thanks for a great article. -MK
By Nicolette Cooper
February 12, 2007 01:28 PM | Link to this
I am very proud of you. You have grown into an wonderful young lady, and I know that you are bound for greatness. Congratulations !!
By king James
February 13, 2007 09:50 AM | Link to this
I see you lil sis. Gettin stats!!!!!
By Mom
February 14, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this
I pray that you continue to use your talents as God would have you to do, Kelley. I love you, “Precious.”
By Ms. Davette
February 14, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
I can not believe that my little Kelley has grown up to be such a smart and talented young lady. I am so very proud of you. I think that it is now time for me to except that I should no longer get you Barbie dolls for Christmas (smile). I guess I have to understand that you are now a very beautiful young lady. Continue to pray and ask God to guide you.
By Ms. Davette
February 15, 2007 06:06 PM | Link to this
It’s me again! How about I accept instead of except! Being an AARP member is not an easy job! Love ya!