MCHS basketball star set to play
in Southern
Illinois

By Rick Burres
Tribune-Courier Reporter
Rburres@tribunecourier.com

DRAFFENVILLE– With a pen in one hand and a cast on the other Scott McKenty signed on the dotted line to begin his college basketball career.

McKenty played the last part of his high school career with a broken hand. He did not seek treatment until the season ended.

McKenty, holder of several Marshall County High School basketball records, said he decided to sign with Olney Central College in south eastern Illinios because of the recruiting effort the school put foward.

“They’ve been coming to see me for awhile now and they made me feel a little special,” McKenty said. “I know I’ll get to play there.”

McKenty scored 892 points during his career at Marshall Conty. He had 265 assists, 171 steals and 276 rebounds.

He holds the individual record for most steals in a season, racking up 79 during his junior year and, beating his own record, 80 for his senior year.

McKenty also holds the record for most free throws attempted in a game and the record for most free throws made in a game.

Olney College head basketball coach Mike Burris said he has been impressed with McKenty since the first time he watched him play.

“We liked what we saw the first time we came to see him play,” Burris said.

“He’s got a lot of intangibles. He’s tough, smart and a leader.”
Burris said he has much respect for Marshall County head coach Gus Gillespie.

“We look for good kids who come from good programs,” Burris said. “I know coach has rebuilt basketball programs in the past at other schools and his players know how to work hard and be part of a team.”

“We lost three sophmores and we needed a point guard,” Burris said. “I knew Scott was the kid to fill those big shoes.”

Burris said that while McKenty’s numbers are impressive they were not the deciding factor.

Said Burris, “We feel very fortunate to have a player of Scott’s caliber join our program.