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Carnell finds a new home and a new position at Keene State
KEENE, N.H. 1/25/12 – Heading down court in a recent road game against Little East Conference rival UMass-Dartmouth, Siobhan Carnell methodically grabbed a cross-court pass on the wing. The Keene State forward abruptly turned to face an opponent whose size and height dwarfed the five-foot, nine-inch junior from Quincy, Mass. Undaunted, Carnell made a quick ball fake. While her opponent went up in the air in hope of blocking her shot, Carnell went to the basket, scoring an uncontested lay-up.
“Siobhan’s biggest asset is her first step. She’s very quick going to the rim,” said Keene State coach Keith Boucher. “At times it looks like it’s not going to happen. She has a herky-jerky motion, but she gets it done. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.”
While Boucher hasn’t done anything to alter Carnell’s unorthodox style of play, which also includes a line-drive shot, the Quincy native has had to renovate her basketball career, transitioning to a new school and a new position. Following a four-year career at Quincy North High School, Carnell headed north to Rindge, N.H., to play at Division II Franklin Pierce University. Although the team was highly successful, reaching the Final Four of the 2009-10 NCAA tournament, Carnell saw limited playing time, logging just 54 minutes over 18 games.
A desire to get off the bench and pursue a different major sent her down the road to Division III Keene State College. “I made the move that was best for me,” Carnell said. “I looked around at schools in the Boston area, but I like being a little farther away from home.”
Arriving at Keene State last year, Carnell not only had to get introduced to a new school and teammates, but a new position. A shooting guard throughout her career, Carnell was asked to move up front and help replenish a depleted Owl frontline. “When Siobhan got here we needed forwards, so we told her we’d probably have to move her,” said Boucher. “Obviously, Siobhan isn’t as big and strong as some of the players she is playing against, but she’s more athletic and has used it to her advantage.”
Carnell took the move in stride “It’s really not that difficult if you’ve played basketball for a long time,” she said. “Physically it’s more demanding – it’s definitely harder playing defense against bigger, stronger girls – but you adjust and find a way to get the job done.”
Carnell held her own in her first season with the Owls, finishing third in both scoring (8.5 ppg) and rebounding (3.8 rpg).
Carnell wasn’t always on the move. She was a stabilizing force on a North Quincy High team that was always among the top teams in first the Atlantic Coast and later the Patriot League. The sharp-shooting guard was one of the most dominating scorers on Boston’s South Shore, setting the school single-season point record (492) and reaching the 1,000--point career milestone as a senior. The three-time All-Conference and Patriot Ledger All-Star had her share of big games for the Red Raiders, including a 34-point, 14-rebound performance in a double-overtime victory over Duxbury.
Carnell says her first name, Siobhan (pronounced Shi-von), is Gaelic, and everyone in her family has an Irish name. “Some people have a hard time pronouncing it, but they’re getting better,” she said.
As uncommon as her first name may be (there’s just one other student with the same first name at KSC), Carnell has fit right in at Keene State. “It’s always difficult adjusting to new people, hoping that they will accept you,” Carnell said. “Luckily they were all very welcoming. I like playing on this team.”
What’s not to like? Back in the starting lineup after coming off the bench earlier this season, Carnell is second on the team in scoring (10.3 ppg.) and third in rebounding (3.8 rpg.). She scored a caree- high 25 points in the Owls’ opening season game against RPI and pulled down a career-best eight rebounds last Saturday at UMass-Dartmouth. “It doesn’t make a difference if I’m starting or coming off the bench,” she said. “When I get into a game, I try to make the minutes count and get into the flow of the game.”
Carnell’s teammates appreciate her hard work. “Siobhan just goes with the flow and does whatever is needed to help the team out,” said senior forward Courtney Cirillo. “She uses everything she has going up against bigger players. I give her a lot of credit.”
Carnell helped a few of her teammates off the court as well. “Siobhan arrived at the perfect time,” said Cirillo. “We needed a roommate.”
