It’s a common theme for those who play a team sport together to become more like family as time goes on. Playing a sport takes dedication, making those who go through the rigors of being an athlete more relatable to each other.
For senior guard on Cabrini’s men’s basketball team, Kane McGovern, it is that team/family aspect that he loves most about basketball.
“My favorite thing about basketball is playing as a team,” McGovern said. “When we get all five of us playing well together, playing defense, playing offense, and just coming together as one and getting a big win, it’s awesome.”
Originally from Birmingham, Ala., McGovern’s family is what guided him towards his love of athletics. Spending a lot of his childhood moving, McGovern’s family was the one constant in his life, making them the ones he was most close to.
“I moved a couple different times, ended up in Macungie, PA when I was 10. I’ve been living here ever since,” McGovern said.
“My childhood was different compared to most people because I moved four times. I was really close with my family, my brothers were my best friends. Moving around, you get closer to your family, they’re the only people you know every time you move. It was just honestly hanging outside playing sports with my brothers was basically my childhood. We were very competitive.”
Basketball wasn’t always the first choice for McGovern as it was his second stint playing basketball in middle school that really got him into the sport.
“I started playing basketball when I was really young, and then I played ice hockey and didn’t play basketball at all until middle school. I started in middle school and moved up here and just fell in love with it again and started playing competitively again from the sixth grade on,” McGovern said.
McGovern wasn’t the first in his family to have a love for the game of basketball though, as he drew inspiration from a family member who set the bar pretty high.
“My grandpa actually played in a semi-professional league, so I thought that was kind of cool, I always wanted to do that, be like him,” McGovern said.
When it comes to professional players that he looked up to while growing up, McGovern points out the Black Mamba as someone he tried to model his game after.
“Definitely Kobe Bryant. When I was a kid, even when I wasn’t playing basketball I loved watching him. He’s one of my all time favorite players. He was just a killer, so I tried to model my game after his and shoot the ball,” McGovern said.
McGovern went on to play basketball at Emmaus High School, and when it came time to choose a college, the environment here at Cabrini was most attractive to him.
“I had played in AAU tournaments up here, and I had always liked the school. I got accepted, came up to visit, and did accepted students day. One day my mom was like ‘you gotta make a decision.’ I liked Cabrini the best out of all of them, I liked the atmosphere and everything so I gave it a shot,” McGovern said.
When he originally got to Cabrini though, McGovern held back from playing basketball, at least until future teammate, junior Deryl Bagwell, recognized McGovern’s talent.
“I originally came here and didn’t play. I came as a freshman and didn’t play a sport,” McGovern said.
“Deryl Bagwell told me, we played pick-up a lot, he was like, ‘yo, you’re pretty good, why don’t you come play?’ So he introduced me to coach Mac (McDonald), and I talked to him a little bit and got a good vibe so I thought ‘alright, I’ll give it a shot.’ Walked on sophomore year, lucky enough got picked to be on the team, and ever since that I just ran with it.”
It wasn’t an easy transition from high school basketball to college for McGovern though. Like all other sports, it took hard work and time to get the feel for the game.
“Going from high school to college and then taking that year off where I didn’t play, getting back up to speed and how quickly the college game is, so it took me a year to really get into it and get used to it, that was probably one of the biggest challenges. Once I caught on to the speed I was alright.”
This previous season wasn’t all gravy for McGovern as well, as he had an injury to deal with in order to get back on the court and play the game that he loves.
“At first it started off great, I had a great pre-season and was playing really well, and then I broke my ankle. That was definitely a little bit of a down, but I didn’t let it get me down,” McGovern said.“
“I was like ‘I’m gonna get back, I’m gonna play.’ I recovered pretty quickly in 4 1/2 weeks, and then ever since then I’ve had a really good senior year so I’m happy with it and have no regrets and I wouldn’t change a thing if I could go back. I like the way it turned out.”
McGovern went from averaging 2.9 points per game his first year with the team, to 6.2 his last, and earned three starts with the team. They finished 19-8 overall on the season, good for the second seed in the CSAC conference. While the season ended in a heartbreaking two point loss to Gwynedd Mercy University in the CSAC conference tournament semi-final, there was still plenty for the team to be proud of, and memories made that will last a lifetime.
“Playing at Lehigh this year, that was pretty sweet, getting to play a Division I team and probably beating Gwynedd for senior night. It was just an all around great game by everyone and we got to blow them out and it was just a great way to end the regular season,” McGovern said.
“I’ll definitely just miss hanging out with the guys. On the court, off the court, downtime, hanging out in the locker-room, we’re here over winter break, just being around the guys and messing around. That’s some of the best memories I have.”
If it’s one thing that Cabrini basketball has taught McGovern, it’s definitely the value of hard work.
“It taught me that hard work pays off because I went from being a walk-on to being a starter,” McGovern said. “You don’t really get to do that without working your ass off. I put in a lot of work and it payed off. It taught me if you work hard enough, you’ll get good things.”
While his basketball career at Cabrini has come to an end, basketball is most definitely in the future for McGovern.
“I’m going to East Stroudsburg next year for grad-school and I’m hoping to get involved with the basketball team whether it’s through strength and conditioning, or just helping out, doing whatever. I want to coach one day. I hope one day I end up coaching high school or college. That’ll be pretty sweet,” McGovern said.
“I think it’s definitely being around the game. I’ve learned so much from so many people and I feel like I have to give it back to the kids. I’ve learned so much from all my coaches and I keep learning more everyday and I want to be able to turn around and give it back to my kids, and the other kids my kids are friends with and just teach them the game that I love.”
It’s safe to say that Cabrini will always have a place in McGovern’s heart.
“Thanks to my teammates, to Ryan Charity especially. Me and him have been through a lot the last four years and it’s been a pleasure playing with him, and best of luck to the rest of the team.”
