It’s been a busy year for Alcovy basketball star Kate Palo, and the season hasn’t even started yet. She was named homecoming queen last month and Thursday she signed a letter of intent to attend Georgia College & State University on a basketball scholarship.
Palo becomes the first basketball player from Alcovy to earn a four-year scholarship.
“We’re very excited for Kate as a student and as an athlete and excited for her family,” Alcovy coach Kidada Holtzclaw said. “We’re also excited for what it means to the program. This is something we can use to show the younger kids that they too can go on and do something like this. It’s just a tribute to the dedication she has to the sport, our program and her academics.
Palo scored 16 points per game to lead the team while also grabbing four rebounds per contest. She led the Lady Tigers to the Region 3A-AAAA regular-season title in 2010 and helped Alcovy win the school’s first basketball playoff game. She is also on the verge of becoming the first girls’ player to score 1,000 points for her career.
Palo is the school’s all-time leader in points scored, free throw percentage, free throws made, 3-point percentage and 3-pointers made.
A four-year letterman, she’s one of two players to play varsity four years under Holtzclaw.
“She has matured as a player,” Holtzclaw said. “She has always been a vocal leader. But since last year, she’s been a kid our players can watch and say, “she works hard.’ She comes to practice and sets the tone for everybody and she has gotten better.”
The Alcovy girls’ basketball team is holding a “Meet the Team” spaghetti dinner tomorrow from 7-8:30 p.m. at the school.
The team will be introduced and 1988 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Erik McMillan will be the guest speaker.
McMillan was a two-time Pro Bowl defensive back for the New York Jets and led the AFC in interceptions his rookie season. Tickets are $10.
Alcovy opens its season Saturday at home. The Tigers face county rivals Eastside. The girls tipoff at 3:30 p.m. followed by the boys teams.
