On this date (Jan. 10) in 2012, Kenosha’s Katie Young thrust herself into the national spotlight as a member of the Marquette women’s basketball team.
The Bradford graduate drained a 40-foot shot as time expired to lift Marquette to a 51-50 win over Big East rival Villanova at the Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee.
So dramatic was the successful 3-pointer it was the top play on ESPN’s SportsCenter that night.
With Marquette trailing by two, Villanova missed a free throw with 3.6 seconds to go.
One pass put the ball in Young’s hands and, after one dribble, the sophomore guard let loose with a heave that exited her right hand with 0.9 seconds left.
The horn sounded as the arcing attempt was about halfway finished with its journey. The ball dropped through the net in front of the Marquette bench, which exploded with joy with players spilling onto the floor.
Meanwhile, a jubilant Young sprinted toward the opposite corner of the court as her giddy teammates chased her down.
A few hours later, ESPN anchor Neil Everett unveiled Young’s heroics as SportsCenter’s top play of the day.
“Katie Young!” Everett exclaimed as the highlight of the shot was playing. “Forever Young! Buzzer beater! Marquette wins by one. That’s your top play.”
Young finished with eight points in 17 minutes off the bench as Marquette improved to 11-6 and 2-2 in the Big East.
Note: An All-State selection at Bradford, Young was a four-year performer at Marquette. She averaged 7.4 points and five rebounds per game in 95 contests for the Golden Eagles. Young averaged a career-best 12.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game as a senior in 2013-14.
