Quaboag chemistry, friendship continues at Worcester State

January 30, 2013

By Jennifer Toland, Telegram & Gazette Staff  

Meaghan O’Keefe isn’t sure how much of an influence she had on old Quaboag Regional basketball teammate Meaghan Burns before Burns joined her at Worcester State, but “I did beg her to come here,” O’Keefe divulged this week.

Three years ago, Burns narrowed her college choices to Worcester State and Springfield, just like O’Keefe had the year before, and ultimately decided to pursue her nursing degree at Worcester State, where she also would have to opportunity to run the floor with O’Keefe again.

“Knowing she was here was comfortable for me,” Burns said, “and I was excited to play basketball with her again.”

At Quaboag, O’Keefe and Burns won five Central Mass. titles together, and their alliance goes all the way back to their travel-team days, when O’Keefe, who grew up in Warren, was a fifth-grader, and Burns, who is from West Brookfield, was in fourth grade.

Their chemistry and friendship has continued at Worcester State. The 6-foot-1 O’Keefe, a senior forward, is averaging 15.3 points and 12.7 rebounds, both team highs, while Burns, a 5-8 junior guard and one of the Lancers’ best defenders, has a team-high 50 steals and is averaging 11.1 points.

“We play so well together,” Burns said, “and I’ve really noticed it more this year, especially with the passes we make to each other. I know exactly where she is and how she wants the ball.”

Worcester State had a tough start to the season, winning just four of its first 12 games, but has come on strong since the start of its MASCAC schedule. The Lancers won their first six conference games and are now 6-2 and tied for second in the MASCAC.

O’Keefe and Burns have played a big role in Worcester State’s turnaround.

“They really enjoy playing together,” Lancers coach Karen Tessmer said. “Meg O is having a great senior season, and she’s worked hard to get there. She’s stepped up as a leader, and that’s what you want out of your seniors.

“Meg Burns has become an all-around player for us. She’s worked hard to improve in every area, and she wants Meg O to have a great senior year.”

O’Keefe, the younger sister of twins Reilly and Kelsey O’Keefe, who were also stars at Quaboag, had some foot issues early in her college career and missed six games at the beginning of last season after suffering a concussion in a car accident. She went on to average 9.2 points and 9.2 rebounds, but wasn’t really thrilled with how she played.

It motivated her to have a great senior season.

“I don’t think people got to see her full potential until this year,” Burns said. “She’s making huge contributions scoring and rebounding.”

O’Keefe, who is majoring in communication sciences and disorders, has posted 12 double-doubles this year and ranks eighth nationally in rebounding.

“I love to rebound,” O’Keefe said. “Getting a rebound means one less opportunity for your opponent to score and an offensive rebound is one more opportunity we get to score. It’s always something I’ve taken pride in.”

The Lancers will have to finish the season without sophomore transfer Julie Frankian of Millbury.

Frankian, who came over from Assumption in January and averaged seven points in nine games, recently suffered a torn ACL and will have surgery within the next couple of weeks.

“We were excited to have her,” Tessmer said. “We know she will come back strong and we look forward to getting her back next season.”