McKenna, Glenn Advance to Final Four [Poll]

East Northport and Elwood have produced their share of great athletes, from Harmonie Calinda to Ifeanyi Momah. Meet the latest: senior Allison McKenna.

When the Glenn girls basketball team takes the court at Hudson Valley Community College Friday at 1:30 p.m., it will mark the second time in five months that McKenna has played for a state championship. The Knights (21-1) take on Rochester East (19-3) in a state Public Schools Class A semifinal in upstate Troy.

The 6-foot-2 McKenna is a and team's undisputed leader. She scored 30 points and added 23 rebounds as , 76-65, to claim the Long Island championship.

"Her influence on our kids is key," longtime Glenn Coach Andy Athanas said. "We'll be ready." 

It's the third trip to the Final Four for Glenn, and the first since 2006. The team headed upstate Thursday afternoon and prepared to face Rochester East, an up-tempo offense which also plays pressing D.

That means Glenn will need great guard play from Mackenzie Sivilli, Emma Klis and Meaghan Haber to break the press and create space for McKenna to operate.

Nassau champ North Shore, which ran 12 players onto the court in a steady rotation, gave the Knights the ultimate test. The defensive intensity of the Long Island championship game proved to be an excellent primer for the wild weekend ahead.

And then there's McKenna's leadership and experience. Paired with Melissa Rigo, McKenna helped the Knights bring home state Class B girls volleyball title in November. While the  was named Gatorade state player of the year, McKenna was no slouch.

How will this latest trip upstate end? McKenna gives the Knights as good a chance as anyone to emerge as champs. 

Question: With McKenna headed upstate to challenge for a state title for the second time five months, it begs the question: Is she Glenn's athlete of the year? Vote in the poll.