Success with style

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

During the day, Kim Hollawell always looks fabulous in beautiful designer clothes.
But at night, the Archbishop Ryan forward has no problem getting down and dirty on the basketball court.
The 6-foot Hollawell, an aspiring fashion designer, has spent three years with the Ragdolls’ basketball squad.
But her interests span far beyond the basketball court.
"I want to go to college and I want to be a fashion major," said Hollawell, an honor student at Ryan. "I’ve loved clothes and shopping since I was little. I’ve been interested in fashion my whole life. I used to tell my mom I wanted to be a lawyer because I’d want to wear my Armani suit and carry a Louie Vuitton briefcase."
Thanks to her height, Hollawell already has the runway look.
"I’d love to be a model," she said. "I hope to pursue that as well. But I do want to be behind the scenes at runway shows. I’m pretty busy with basketball but I’m hoping next summer I’ll have a chance to get some hands-on experience in the fashion industry."
When the soon-to-be senior isn’t dreaming about the catwalk, she’s strutting her stuff on the courts.
Last season, Hollawell scored 58 points and had 71 rebounds for the Ragdolls. She has led the squad to post-season play for the past three years. During her freshman season, Ryan progressed to the semifinals but lost to Cardinal O’Hara. History repeated itself the following year, when Ryan again fell to O’Hara in the semifinals.
Last season — same scenario, different team.
Ryan finished its season with an overall 19-9 record after a tough loss, 49-32, to Archbishop Carroll in the semifinals.
"Carroll hit six threes in the first quarter," said coach John Farrington. "After that, we outscored them in the next three quarters, but the damage was already done."
This year, however, the Ragdolls are already working hard to ensure their semifinal jinx is broken.
"I really want to win in my senior year," said Hollawell. "We’re going to be number one this year. We’re going to win."
Hollawell is ready to see her promise through. She joined other Ragdoll players in the Boyle summer basketball league, which attracted other players from schools like St. Hubert and Nazareth Academy.
And so far, Hollawell and her teammates are having an excellent summer.
The Ragdolls are 9-0 and finished their regular season in first place. They are scheduled to play St. Hubert in the first round of the playoffs on Thursday at 7 p.m.
"I feel like the girls play a lot of organized basketball," said Farrington. "They don’t have as much street game. So I like to use the summer league to get them to play a little street ball with each other and get a little chemistry."
Hollawell is having a good summer, shooting 80 percent from the foul line. She seems to have stepped into the leadership role.
"Different kids react to becoming seniors in different ways," said Farrington. "But I think we’ll see some great things from her this year. She scores from different places — from mid-range jump shots to scoring from the inside. Her last four or five games have been fantastic. She’s a solid player and she works hard."
The summer league holds a stress-free and easygoing vibe, allowing athletes like Hollawell to relax and just enjoy the game.
"I love playing with my teammates from Ryan," said Hollawell. "We have a lot of fun out there. And it definitely helps us for the season because it gets us ready."
Hollawell scored some additional practice this summer with her AAU team — the Northeast Rockers — who recently ended their season with a tournament in Penn State. They finished the competition with a 4-4 record.
"I play a lot of basketball," she said with a smile. "Plus, I work out a lot during the week and go to the gym to practice. I’m just trying to play basketball as much as I can and keep getting better."
But it’s not all work and no play for the student athlete. After the summer league is over, she’ll be soaking up the sunny skies in Florida.
"I’m going on vacation with my family," said Hollawell. "I’m really excited. It’s time to take a little break from basketball for a week, and then come back strong and ready for this year.
"I’m very excited to be a senior," she added. "This is a big year coming up, and I can’t wait." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com