UPDATED: All-American girls basketball star McKenna Woliczko has torn ACL, out for rest of junior season

National Freshman, Sophomore of the Year from Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) announces on Twitter she will have surgery, thanks Sabrina Ionescu, many fans for words of encouragement

Mitty 6-2 junior McKenna Woliczko writhes in pain after a non-contact knee injury late in the first half of her team's 61-44 defeat to Ontario Christian in the 4th Sabrina Ionescu Showcase at Carondelet High School in Concord. / Photo: Dennis Lee

UPDATED, 5:15 p.m.

The news nobody wanted to hear came this morning: Archbishop Mitty girls basketball standout and two-time SBLive Player of the Year McKenna Woliczko has a torn ACL and will be lost for the season.

The 6-foot-2 junior wing, one of six girls on the SBLive/High School on SI All-American team, injured the knee in a non-contact play during the second quarter of the team's 61-44 loss to Ontario Christian at Carondelet (Concord, Calif.) in the Sabrina Ionescu Showcase.

"Unfortunately I do have a torn ACL requiring surgery," she announced on Twitter. "I will continue to push through this setback."

She also thanked all those who reached out, especially her Mitty and Jason Kidd AAU teammates, "coaches, friends, family and even competitors have reminded me how greeat the basketball community is.

• ONTARIO CHRISTIAN GETS REVENGE | Injury mars Knights win over Mitty

"To Carondelet high school staff, thank you for your immediate attention. Sabrina Ionescu, your concern and words of encouragement were heartfelt."

Ionescu, hosting the event for the fourth time, gave Woliczko a hug before she left the premises for the hospital on Saturday.

"Every elite athlete has had to endure injuries in their career," Ionescu told SBLive Saturday. “I let her know I had a pretty significant (hamstring) injury my rookie season and try to be patient. She’s a great young lady, and an excellent player and has a very promising future.” 

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Mitty (9-1) was ranked No. 1 in the country and Ontario Christian No. 2 by MaxPreps heading into the game, and now the Monarchs must figure out a way to push through without their top scorer, rebounder and emotional leader.

The last two seasons, she was the one who carried the Monarchs through the season after McDonald's All-American Morgan Cheli (now at UConn) sustained significant injuries. Cheli missed most of those seasons, but was able to recover from ankle and calf injuries to return by the postseason. That won't be the case for Woliczko.

Her ability to carry the Monarchs were big reasons why she was named the national Freshman and Sophomore of the Year by SBLive and MaxPreps.

Also a softball standout — her mother Erica was a college softball player and dad a basketball player at University of Pacific — Woliczko will no doubt miss her junior softball season as well. She is ranked the No. 6 junior basketball player in the country, according to ESPN.

She is scheduled to meet this week with Golden State Warriors' orthopedic doctor Christopher Lehman, according to Woliczko's father Aaron. 

McKenna Woliczko during first-quarter action in Saturday's game versus Ontario Christian. Woliczko is also a star softball player for the Monarchs and likely out for the spring season as well. / Photo: Dennis Lee

UPDATE FROM MITTY COACH SUE PHILLIPS

Mitty’s legendary coach Sue Phillips, who in April was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, said Woliczko was in remarkably good spirits the last two days, largely because she’s been at practice. 

Yes, despite her setback and confined to crutches, the energetic teen and talent can’t be kept down. Phillips said that will be key in the bounce back of Woliczko and the Monarchs, who Tuesday open West Catholic Athletic League play at Valley Christian, a formidable opponent at 11-1. 

“McKenna is an incredibly resilient person,” Phillips said. “She’s relentless in her mindset and I have no doubt through her work habits, diligence and positive attitude she will persevere and thrive and make the most of this time.” 

Seeing that has already helped the Monarchs, who suffered right with Woliczko on Saturday, through the weekend and with the bad MRI news. 

“It was an incredibly emotional weekend,” Phillips said. “For all involved. Having her back the very first day was amazing. She was surrounded by the love and support of her teammates and in very, very good spirits.”

How will the Monarchs respond on the court? 

Mitty started four other future Division I players, Phillips said, though all are young and projected talents, including 5-9 sophomore Ze’Ni Patterson, who had 14 points Saturday in the loss to Ontario Christian, along with 6-2 freshman Maliya Hunter (nine points, 10 rebounds) and 5-10 junior Devin Cosgriff, a four-star recruit and transfer from Bishop O’Dowd. 

A squad of 15 — Phillips normally keeps just 12 — this is considered as deep and athletic as the Monarchs have ever had. A mouthful considering Phillips sports a crazy 31-year record of 828-140 (according to Cal-Hi Sports) in her career (fourth most wins in state history and 72 behind leader Kevin Kiernan) to go along with six state, 16 NorCal and 23 Central Coast Section titles. 

“We’ll have to tweak some things as to how best to utilize our personnel,” Phillips said. “Obviously nobody wanted this in any way shape or form. My job is to lead them to the light and to the best possible outcome while they all support and love their good friend and teammate. 

“We’re all very eager to support McKenna in this journey, as she supports her teammates down their season’s path. We can build upon these parallel roads and contribute to all of our successes.”