The Bishop Ludden Boys Basketball team is headed to the State Regional for the first time since 2001 thanks, in part, to this week's CNYCentral Athlete. Daniel Kaigler may not be leading the league in any statistical category, but it's his unselfish play, and ability to pick and choose his spots that makes him so valuable for the Gaelic Knights.
"He only averages around 15 points a game on this team," explains Head Coach Pat Donnelly, "but he does a yeomen's job every year of rebounding, and a double double guy for the majority of our games, and he also clocks a lot of shots."
Kaigler led the way for Bishop Ludden this past Sunday as they beat Bishop Grimes 52-41 at the Carrier Dome, earning Bishop Ludden their 16th Section III title. Kaigler sparked his team with 12 points, 12 rebounds and three big blocks.
"I just try to play my best every second," says Kaigler, "and play my hardest that I can, but I have to give a lot of congratulations to my teammates. They always give me the ball in good position to score, and they're always ready to hit the open shot whenever I kick it out to them."
"(Kaigler) just won an Ace leadership award through the school," adds Donnelly, "so Dan has it in perspective of getting the academics first and athletics second."
The season continues for Kaigler and the Gaelic Knights this Saturday in Binghamton when they take on Section four's Norwich in their state regional.
