STAFF WRITER
TOM MENKES

Mary Kate Comfort adds a nice piece to the puzzle on the St. John Fisher College women’s basketball team.  The 6-foot-1 freshman center has started every game for the Cardinals this season and has had no problem finding the basketball net.

The 18-year-old was born and raised in Orchard Park, N.Y.  While growing up, Comfort became very familiar with the basketball court.  This all began when she joined her first basketball team as a fifth grader.  After that, she did not put down the basketball, and this led to her starting as a center on her Orchard Park high school basketball team.  She has not stopped driving herself into the player she is today and this has shown up on the Fisher court.  Her potential is great, and this is only the beginning of a four season run.

“She has lots and lots of potential,” says Assistant Coach Marianne O’Connor Ermi.  “Mary Kate comes to practice and works hard every single day.  Her great mindset helps her game a lot too.”  O’Connor Ermi commented on Comfort’s ability to motivate herself.  “She is working very hard on her outside game, foul shooting, and footwork game as well.”

Through 15 games this season, Comfort ranks third on the team with a total of 402 minutes, averaging 28.6 minutes per game on the court.  The center is a great shooter on the outside.  She ranks fourth on the team with 109 points, averaging 7.3 points per game.  Comfort has finished three games this season leading her team in points, including two key wins.

 The freshman does not stop hustling on both offense and defense.  This hard work pays off.  Comfort’s ability to own rebounds provides a lot of comfort for the Cardinals.  She leads the Cardinals with 102 rebounds, averaging 6.8 rebounds per game.  Comfort currently has 67 defensive rebounds and 35 offensive rebounds through 15 games this season.  The center also leads the team in blocked shots as well.  She has a total of 19 blocked shots, averaging 1.2 per game.

The freshman center was drawn to St. John Fisher for a few reasons.  Standing at 6-foot-1, Comfort found herself being heavily recruited by coaches at Fisher. 

Along with her coaches, teammate Ashley Dean is also impressed by Comfort.

 “Mary Kate has a lot of potential in the Fisher program.  She is a very hard working athlete and she fits into our style of play very well,” junior forward Dean said.  “She is a great teammate and friend.  Her hard work rubs off to everyone else on the team and helps motivate us.”