Whiz Kid's Age: 18
Whiz Kid's School: Albertus Magnus High School
Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Awarded the 2011 MVP girl's basketball player at Albertus Magnus High School.
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Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness:
What a year it has been for this senior. As one of the key players on the Lady Falcons basketball team, she helped bring them to the County Center in White Plains for the in March. Starting either in post or forward position she was the go-to player on the court.
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Although the season wrapped up in the beginning of March, the awards season for Meghan is finally winding down. For the 2010-2011 basketball season Meghan won:
- Albertus Magnus MVP
- All- League
- All- Section Honorable Mention
- Second Team All County
Meghan started playing basketball for St. Margarets CYO program when she was in 6th grade. In the 7th grade joined the New York Fever AAU team coached by John Kayser. As an 8th grader she made Varsity for Nanuet. Then transferred to Albertus Magnus her Freshman year and made the varsity team there.
For the past two years she has been a captain and a starter for both the Lady Falcons and the NY Fever AAU travel team.
"Playing on the AAU team with all those girls helped me so much to become the player I am today. I learned so many things and have so many memories," said Richards.
Ending her high school basketball career with an impressive record of 19-2.
"My overall record at Albertus for basketball was 80-12 throughout the four years I played at the varsity level. My greatest memory for basketball was going to the state finals my sophomore year."
Of the 21 games Albertus played this year, the only two losses were to Pearl River. During the season, Albertus beat Pearl River, then Pearl River beat Albertus. With an even score of 1-1, they met in the sections for their final match up. It was a very close game, as Albertus shut down Pearl River's leading scorers. But in the end Pearl River prevailed.
"Pearl River was definitely one of our biggest rivals. I know most of the girls on the team and it was the game I circled on my schedule because I knew I had to show up to play. Even though we lost to them twice this year, I still enjoyed playing them. I knew it was going to be a great game and a close game. I came to play with everything I got."
Not only is Meghan a leader on the court, but on the softball field as well. She has a batting average of .325. In fact, just this past Monday, April 11, she hit her first home-run of the season against Nanuet High School.
In addition to school and sports, she volunteers and she works. On Sunday mornings she spends her time volunteering at Buddy Ball where she helps mentally challenged children achieve success on the basketball court. Working with these children has been a great experience for Richards. She enjoys teaching and watching the kids have fun as they learn the basics of basketball. She also works at The Rock Indoor Sports facility.
"I would really like to play basketball and/or softball in college. If I could, I would play both if I had the chance."
There's no doubt she will excel wherever she goes to college. With all the experience she has gained in school, with sports, volunteering and working, she's ready to tackle the next stage of her life.
Great job Meghan. Keep up the good work!
