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Captain Sully anchors the Bonnies from down under

January 28, 2014 Jim Dolan

Photo courtesy of Jim Dolan

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Simply broken down, basketball is a game about possession and position. Kristen Sully Sullivan, the senior co-captain, allows Fontbonne to maintain both aspects of the game with her strong presence under the basket.

Competing in her second year on the Varsity, Sullivan has grown as a player at the center position according to Head Coach Stephen Oliver, who notes, She dominates the low post and always wants the ball.

Oddly enough, Sullivans season started out on an unexpected down note after she rolled her ankle in a pre-season game in early December. With Sully on the bench to start the season against St. Edmund and McClancy, it was no coincidence that the Bonnies lost two close games to two of the leagues current frontrunners.

Being cleared to play in late December, Sullivan jumpstarted her season at the Holiday Cactus Jam Tournament in Arizona where she led her team to the finals and took home All Tournament honors. Now with Sully back in the lineup, Fontbonne has won eight straight league games for a current record of 8-2 for third place.

Oliver maintains, If we dont have a strong game inside, our team gets stale. We need to dominate on the inside to be successful and Kristen gives us that. Pulling down at least 16 rebounds a game, Sullivan routinely grabs half of those rebounds on offense to score on put backs.

In addition to her defense, Sullivan is Fontbonnes second leading scorer, averaging nine points a game behind her senior teammate Kate Oliver who has averaging 12 points a game.

Playing under the hoop, Sullivan is often fouled which she readily converts into a scoring opportunities. Thus far this season, Sullivan has capitalized on her free throws, shooting a robust 70 percent at the foul line.

As a first team All City high school volleyball player, Sullivan has no problem leaving her feet as part of either game. She has such athleticism when she goes up to grab the ball, claims Oliver. Once she gets the ball she is very strong and hard to stop.

Amassing 15 points to lead her team in scoring in a recent 54-16 win over Cristo Rey, Sullivans ability to continue to lead the Bonnies will be critical, as Fontbonne finishes up the season against top contenders, McClancy, St. Edmund and Bishop Kearney.