By Nate Beutel
NIAGARA FALLS — Mary Cain admits this season has been a bit of a challenge. But nothing like last year when she was forced to sit and watch while recovering from a torn ACL.
“I was so crushed that I couldn’t play,” the Niagara Catholic senior said after Monday’s spirited practice, which included only seven players. “It hurt to watch.”
It was especially crushing for Cain to not be able to play with her sister, Simone, and a few of the last players that she had grown up with in the program since her freshman season.
But the injury didn’t take away her love of the game. It only made it stronger. And made her work harder.
Cain not only put in her physical therapy time, but also hit the weight room and local courts hard over the summer. She returned to the AAU circuit in June and never looked back in preparation for her final season in red and white.
“She has dedicated herself to the game,” NC coach Larry Puzan said as Cain lifted weights after practice.
Cain, who is listed as a guard/forward on the roster, plays every position on the floor for the Patriots. With a team that lacks both numbers and high-level experience, Cain is asked to not only score, but also rebound, distribute, handle, communicate, etc ...
“She does everything for us.” Puzan said, while noting that during Sunday’s loss to Holland Cain battled through double and triple teams and gimmick defenses to score 29 points. “But she also understands that her teammates must be involved if we’re going to win games.”
Cain added, “My number one goal is to get my teammates into the flow of the game.”
That type of response is part of the maturity process that Cain has undergone over the past four years, according to Puzan.
“Her maturity on the floor, her ability to go with the flow after a turnover, a bad shot, a bad call, an error by teammates is her biggest improvement,” he said. “And now, her calming influence out there helps keep our team calm in tense situations.”
That maturity along with her outstanding skill set, versatility, work ethic and good grades will make some college coach very happy, Puzan added.
Cain said she plans to play basketball in college, although she is not sure what she wants to study or where she wants to attend.
Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, ext. 2262.
MARY CAIN
• SCHOOL: Niagara Catholic
• SPORT: Girls basketball
• GRADE: Senior
• POSITION: Guard
• STAT: Patriots’ leader in scoring, rebounds and assists
• COACH’S QUOTE: “She has dedicated herself to the game.”
— Larry Puzan
