Sports

Mary Louis’ transformed Gully finds perfect fit at Queens College

Elisabeth Gully finally got a reward for her perseverance and hard work.

The 5-foot-10 Mary Louis post lost 40 pounds last year and continued to transform her game with her Positive Direction travel team from a back-to-the-basket player to one who could attack facing up.

Gully still had very little college interest into December. She wanted to get away from home, but immediately felt a connection to Queens College.

“I really didn’t think I was going to like it and then once I stepped on campus, I loved it,” Gully said. “I loved the dorms and everything and I really liked the coach and the team.”

She verbally committed to play women’s basketball for first-year coach Bet Naumovksi at the ECC school and will receive a partial athletic scholarship. Gully picked the Knights over Hartwick and Washington College in Maryland. She joins former TMLA standout Megan White and Joanna Verouhis, who played at St. Francis Prep.

“It feels like everything is paying off,” Gully said. “I worked so hard.”

The Rego Park native earned her way into the Mary Louis starting lineup midway through last season and is now a permanent member. Gully had to miss the majority of her sophomore campaign with a severe ankle injury.

The focus this summer was pulling her away from the basket more and improving her foot work, speed and shooting. She dropped in 10 points and attacked the basket and the glass in a Senior Day loss to Molloy last week. Gully is the Hilltoppers biggest force in the paint and an excellent shot blocker.

“All of it kind of came together and she really was able to transform herself,” TMLA coach Joe Lewinger said. “She is multifaceted. She can go inside and out.”

Gully said she felt comfortable right way with Naumovksi and assistant coach Sky Lindsey. She will join a program that is trying to turn itself around. Queens College will also put her on the path she wants for her physical therapy major.

“It was kind of overwhelming,” Gully said. “Schools were just coming out of nowhere and I finally sifted them out.”

The scholarship was a well-deserved reward for the time and work she put into improving her game, her body and her skill set. Injuries made it her transformation a bit of a two-year crash course.

“It just shows you how long of a process it really is,” Lewinger said. “When she was a freshman all she knew was just stay on the block. Her perseverance is what I really remember.”

jstaszewski@nypost.com