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Scarsdale's Kanner Helps Take Tufts Back To NCAA D3 Women's Final Four

SCARSDALE, N.Y. -- The Tufts University women’s basketball team has lost just two games outside of the Final Four the past two seasons. Scarsdale’s Hayley Kanner has been one of the biggest reasons why.

Hayley Kanner, a senior from Scarsdale, has helped Tufts University reached the NCAA Women's Basketball Division III Final Four for the second straight year.

Hayley Kanner, a senior from Scarsdale, has helped Tufts University reached the NCAA Women's Basketball Division III Final Four for the second straight year.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Tufts University

Kanner, a 6-foot, 2-inch senior from Scarsdale, was recently named the D3Hoops.com Northeast Player of the Year for the second straight year. Kanner and Tufts play in the NCAA women’s basketball Division III Final Four Friday against Thomas More College in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Tufts (30-1) reached the Final Four last year and lost in the semifinals to eventual champion FDU-Florham. The Jumbos also lost the consolation game. They punched a return ticket this year with a 58-52 win over FDU-Florham in the quarterfinals. Kanner had 13 points and 10 rebounds in the win.

“It’s an awesome opportunity for myself and the rest of the team,’’ Kanner said. “Last year was not how we wanted to end the season. We did a good job this year of playing with a target on our backs and wanted to get back to the Final Four. We got a taste of how great it was last year.”

Kanner has been an offensive and defensive anchor for Tufts. She averages 13 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, which are slight increases from last year. She has started every game but one over the past two seasons.

Kanner is a force in the paint, but brings an added dimension with the ability to hit an occasional 3-pointer. She buried 10 of them this year.

“I think it’s a great development to a post player’s game,’’ Kanner said. “If a post player has to get out on the perimeter to defend, that adds a whole new dimension. Back in high school, I would shoot 3s. When I got to Tufts I needed to work more on my game in the post. Once I learned how to hit a layup I was allowed to go back outside.”

Besides experience, Kanner and Tufts believe they have an added bonus as they enter this year’s Final Four with coach Carla Berube. She played at the University of Connecticut under Geno Auriemma, helping the Huskies win the  1995 NCAA Championship. Like Auriemma, Berube emphasizes defense, and Tufts is the top defensive team in the nation, allowing just 46.3 points per game.

“She knows exactly what to do,’’ Kanner said. “You can tell in everything she does that she learned a lot from coach Auriemma at UConn. At the end of the day, we’re a defensive-minded team. She knows what to say and when to say it. I respect every bit of information that she has to offer.”

Kanner does not know what the future holds. “It’s the one part of the game plan that has not been drawn up yet,’’ she said about her plans after college.

She does know, however, that her four-year ride at Tufts with its women’s basketball team has been life-changing.

“I think it’s been everything I thought it would be and more,’’ Kanner said. “I can’t say enough about how much it has meant to be. Just attending Tufts and being around friends has been great. I could not imagine a greater four years.”

 

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