The Cavanaugh name has a rich tradition at Jamesville-Dewitt High School, but it's Kayleigh Cavanaugh who's earned this week's CNYCentral Athlete. Kayleigh brother Tyler is currently playing for Wake Forest after graduating from J-D last year, while her father John was a two-time All-American at Hamilton College and is a member of J-D's Wall of Fame. Now Kayleigh is well on her way to making something great of her senior season, helping to lead the Red Rams to a 12-3 start.
"Kayleigh is a very knowledgeable basketball player," says head coach Rob Siechen, "we could play her anywhere, one, two, three, four and five, she's one of those kids who always knows what to do, when to do it and how to do it. So that's a valuable asset for any team."
Her leadership skills are also where they need to be in her senior season, especially since she was put into a position to help lead a team that lost five senior leaders to graduation at the end of last year.
"The five seniors last year were great leaders," says Cavanaugh, "they were great role models, and I knew I had to work just as hard as them to keep us going, and keep us on the same track that wee were last year. Their hard work in practice every day, and showing up to the games ready to play, I knew that I had to do the same thing to keep out team on the right track this year."
Cavanaugh says she's hoping to savor her last year as a Red Ram and hasn't quite decided where she wants to go to school next year. She has her sights set on a potential career in the field of physical therapy.
