Vaughn and McCurdy have Friends' Central on the rise

A couple of years ago, Mikayla Vaughn says she was just, "a tall girl who was bad."

At 6-foot-3, the sophomore center for the Friends' Central girls' basketball team sure is tall, but she is no longer the kind of player who just stands under the basket making layups and putbacks.

"I have a really good repertoire," Vaughn said. "You have to double- or triple-team me. Sometimes I take stupid shots, and I understand that, but one-on-one I'm going to pull up on you or I'm taking it to the basket and you are going to foul."

It's something the junior captain for the 18-2 Phoenix, Iyanna McCurdy, has noticed about her friend and teammate as well.

"Her post moves are getting stronger," McCurdy said. "Before she would fade, now she is going and attacking the basket, getting baskets, getting fouled, getting and-ones. "

Together, McCurdy and Vaughn are guiding Friends' Central's renaissance.

Both average more than 17 points a game. McCurdy dominates defensively, racking up steals, and has good court vision. Vaughn is a force on the boards, getting to rebounds on both ends of the floor.

"She can get her shot. She will post up. She can go up the basket," Vaughn said of McCurdy. "She may not be the tallest, but she plays like she is 10 feet tall. She will be under there and go get fouled. She can shoot the three, she's a great free-throw shooter, she's a good finisher. It is so easy to play with her."

That versatility and desire to get better have helped Friends' Central do the improbable after a disappointing 12-12 season a year ago. After losing to Friends Schools League elite - Shipley - by 28 and 38 points last season, the Phoenix were leading the Gators for three quarters before eventually losing by four a few weeks ago. Vaughn and McCurdy hope to see Shipley again in the league championship.

"I'm not losing to Shipley again," Vaughn said. "It's not an option to lose."

It was early in the fourth quarter against Westtown and the Phoenix were up 26. A foul stopped play and McCurdy went over to give instructions to a teammate who had just checked into the game for the first time. The entire time she did it with a smile on her face.

Vaughn has height. McCurdy has quick feet and hands, but they are more than the sum of their physical characteristics. Together they are going to make sure everyone takes notice.