Give Rosary’s Quincy Kellett the choice between leading the area in goals and points for a third straight year or winning a regional, sectional or state championship, and she would give up the former in a heartbeat.
Unfortunately, the reality of the situation means the Royals are going to need the scoring sensation to continue piling up gaudy numbers to achieve any of the latter.
That mentality is why Kellett was the most frustrated player when Rosary’s 2013 season ended at 16-4-3 with a sectional semifinal loss to eventual Class 2A state runner-up Prairie Ridge.
It’s why she took little consolation in being the Suburban Christian Conference Player of the Year and deferred questions about her statistics to her coaches.
“She still has that unique drive to go to the goal, but now she’s just as willing and content to create scoring opportunities for her teammates,” said Brian Frank, who takes over Rosary’s coach after two years as the Royals’ varsity assistant.
For the record, Kellett led the area in points (61) and goals scored (28) as a freshman, although few people took notice. She also scored nine game-winning goals.
No longer a secret weapon, Kellett faced double-team defenses as a sophomore but stilled end up with one less goal (27), one less game-winner (eight) and double the assists (11) to again surpass everyone in points (65).
Her two-season numbers would be impressive career totals for most prep players.
“Her freshman year she was somewhat of a secret,” Frank said. “The next year, teams tried to double-team her or shadow her at all times, but she never quits.She’s very, very fast, but not only have her skill levels increased, her field vision has improved just as much.”
All the while, Kellett responded to the pressure.
“It’s never fun to have two people guarding you, but it’s just more of a challenge to find open space or be alert to setting up teammates,” Kellett said.
“Individually, I’ve been trying to improve my foot skills and my field vision.
“I’m excited to see how Maria (Witte) has improved and I know we’ve got a phenomenal (goalkeeper) in Lauren (Frasca). She has no fear, ever, and that really helps me with my shooting.”
So, is the objective for Kellett this spring adding a third All-SCC honor in soccer to the all-conference status she just earned during basketball season?
“It’s like scoring goals, opportunities come as they come,” she said. “I just know I want us to be competing for the top of the conference and for us to go beyond where we’ve been in the post-season.”
