Call it a season of change on the South Philadelphia girls’ basketball scene.
The Southern Lady Rams are moving down to the Public League’s Bronze Division after last year’s one-win season. The transition will give the team a chance to rebuild while playing against more evenly matched opponents.
As part of the preparation for its move, Audenried High didn’t enroll a freshman class. Still, the Bronze Division’s Lady Warriors easily filled their roster for what they hope will be another competitive season. Bok and Furness are also in the Bronze mix, which will make for an interesting neighborhood rivalry.
The Prep Charter Lady Huskies are taking the Lady Rams’ place in the Silver Division after last year’s eight-win season. The team might not be ready to compete with the division’s elite squads, but it does have a talented roster.
All the St. Maria Goretti Lambs hope for is a winning season to close out their school’s history. It’ll be a tall order, as Goretti hasn’t made the playoffs for 17 years.
Here’s the Review‘s breakdown of the local teams. All Public League contests will start at 3:15 p.m.
Catholic League
Team: St. Maria Goretti Lambs
Division: Catholic League South
Coach: Chip Reitano
2003 record: 0-12 (Catholic League South)
When Reitano took over the struggling St. Maria Goretti team four years ago, he envisioned building a playoff-caliber program. Last year’s winless mark in Catholic League play doesn’t tell the full story, the coach insists.
"It was a different program four years ago," said Reitano, whose squad is off to a 3-0 start in non-league play. "It might not show it, but we really made some strides. We had 60-70 kids come out for varsity. We struggled to fill varsity and junior-varsity teams four years ago."
The program is now entering its historic 45th season of Goretti basketball — the final one in its current form. Come September, the school will merge with Neumann, and all athletic teams will be known as the Saints.
The last herd of Lambs includes two freshmen, two junior-varsity grads and one junior transfer, all of whom are expected to play significant varsity roles. Combined with the returning veterans, the local squad might not be on the same level as championship contenders Archbishop Carroll and Cardinal O’Hara, but it should be able to vie for the third and fourth Southern Division playoff spots.
Senior point guard Natasha Scott, who is receiving some Division III attention, is back to lead the offense after averaging 12 points and five assists. Newcomer Shonte Skinner, a junior transfer from Martin Luther King, should add an offensive spark after averaging 17 points per game last season.
"She is definitely going to have a major impact on the team," the coach said. "We have a scorer coming in who could put some points on the board."
Senior Janae Ostrowski, who is getting looks from Division II and III programs, will be key on defense after blocking a Catholic League-record 108 shots last season.
The squad is hoping to shine in the first-ever Goretti Roundball Classic, a four-team holiday tournament that the Lambs will host Dec. 27 and 28.
Key players:
G Natasha Scott 5’4" SR
G Alicia Kleveca 5’1" JR
F Amberel Diaz 5’7" FR
F Shonte Skinner 5’8" JR
C Janae Ostrowski 6’1" SR
G Jennifer Santore 5’5" JR
F Kirstyn Edwards 5’8" FR
F Kelly McGinn 5’5" JR
Coach’s outlook: "We would like to go out with a bang. We have an opportunity to do some good things."
Schedule
Jan. 4 Conwell-Egan Home 11:30 a.m.*
Jan. 6 Prendergast Away 5 p.m.
Jan. 9 Little Flower Home 5 p.m.
Jan. 10 New Hope-Solebury Home 3:30 p.m.*
Jan. 13 Carroll Home 5 p.m.
Jan. 16 Hallahan Away 5 p.m.
Jan. 20 O’Hara Away 3:30 p.m.
Jan. 23 West Catholic Home 5 p.m.
Jan. 30 Prendergast Home 5 p.m.
Feb. 3 Little Flower Away 5 p.m.
Feb. 6 Carroll Away 3:30 p.m.
Feb. 10 Hallahan Home 6 p.m.
Feb. 12 Cape May VO Tech Home 6 p.m. *
Feb. 13 O’Hara Home 5 p.m.
Feb. 17 West Catholic Away TBA
*denotes non-league game
Public League
Team: Audenried Lady Warriors
Division: Public League Bronze
Coach: Bill Edger
2003 record: 2-8 (Bronze Division)
Edger was concerned the school’s lack of a freshman class would have an impact on the number of girls coming out for the team. But when the Lady Warriors began practicing a few weeks ago, the roster quickly filled up. As the regular season approaches, the coach is happy to report he has 16 players.
"That is good for us," Edger said.
Audenried opened its non-league schedule with a loss against Bok, but the Lady Warriors only had six players with medical clearance at the time. Edger had a few more girls available for the Mastbaum game, which the team won.
Key players:
G Jamilah Mason 5’6" SR
F Belinda Mitchell 5’4" JR
G/F Aleecia Welton 5’3" JR
G Rasheara Sims 5’5" JR
G Anani Arandules 5’2" SO
C Mykina Simmons 5’9" SO
G Yolanda Foster 5’6" JR
F Corrie Gonzalaz 5’8" SO
Coach’s outlook: "Naturally, every team’s goal is to make the playoffs. It all depends on if the girls continue coming to practice and school. If the commitment level is there, I think we can finish with at least a .500 record."
Schedule
Jan. 7 Prep Charter Away
Jan. 9 Furness Home
Jan. 12 Masterman Home
Jan. 14 Olney Home
Jan. 21 Roxborough Home
Jan. 23 Mastbaum Away
Jan. 26 Lincoln Home
Jan. 28 South Philly Home
Feb. 2 West Philadelphia Away
Feb. 6 Bok Away
Feb. 11 Edison Away
Feb. 13 Swenson Home
Team: Bok Wildkittens
Division: Public League Bronze
Coach: Greg Frangipani
2003 record: 8-5 overall (Public League Bronze Division)
One of the Wildkittens’ most urgent tasks will be replacing the 13 points and 10-plus rebounds that star freshman Chinita Jordan contributed last season. Frangipani had so much confidence in the rookie that he built his game plan around her. Unfortunately, the rising Public League star transferred to University City in September.
"If we had Chinita along with the other returning players, we would’ve had a chance to win the division," Frangipani said. "Without her, we just have to work that much harder."
The upside is the Wildkittens have several experienced seniors who have helped the local squad open the season 2-0. The coach is excited about renewing the neighborhood rivalries, particularly with four teams in the Bronze Division.
"We joke at the coaches’ meeting that we should form our own division so we only have to travel a block away," Frangipani said. "All the coaches get along with each other."
Key players:
G Nyesha Whitney 5’5" SR
G Jessica Walker 5’5" SR
G Denea Boyer 5’7" SR
F Jasmina McCullers 6′ SR
F Gloria Brown 6’2" FR
G/F Davita Austin 5’10" FR
Coach’s outlook: "If we stay out of foul trouble, we should be OK with our starting five. If we hit our shots and play good defense, I am hoping to do as well as last year."
Schedule
Jan. 8 Frankford Away
Jan. 9 Edison Home
Jan. 12 Lincoln Home
Jan. 14 Roxborough Away
Jan. 21 Furness Away
Jan. 23 Swenson Home
Jan. 26 Olney Away
Jan. 28 Kensington Home
Feb. 2 Mastbaum Away
Feb. 4 Southern Away
Feb. 6 Audenried Home
Feb. 11 West Philadelphia Away
Feb. 13 Masterman Away
Team: Furness Lady Falcons
Division: Public League Bronze
Coach: Bob Weidinger
2003 record: 2-8 (Public League Bronze Division)
Earlier this month, only a couple of girls showed up for practice, which seemed a bad sign for Furness’ ability to field a team.
Weidinger solved the crisis by recruiting during the school day to bring his roster to 12 players. Four of the athletes are back from last year.
With a majority of newcomers, Weidinger is keeping his expectations modest, but the coach believes all of his players will be able to contribute.
"I just try to teach the rules," the coach said. "I have six or seven girls I can put on the court and they know the game."
Key players:
C Alisha Joyner 5’7" JR
F Monica Hill 5’5" SR
G Cheron Wise 5’4" SR
G Jasmine Bemberry 5’4" SR
G Chantae Cooper 5’4" FR
G Macy Watts 5’4" FR
Coach’s outlook: "I want to be competitive. Hopefully the two young girls will fit in with the seniors."
Schedule
Jan. 7 Northeast Away
Jan. 9 Audenried Away
Jan. 12 West Philadelphia Away
Jan. 21 Bok Home
Jan. 23 Southern Away
Jan. 28 Olney Home
Feb. 2 Kensington Away
Feb. 4 Mastbaum Home
Feb. 6 Masterman Away
Feb. 9 Roxborough Home
Feb. 11 Swenson Away
Feb. 13 Lincoln Away
Team: Prep Charter Lady Huskies
Division: Public League Silver
Coach: Lisa Benvenuto
2003 record: 8-2 (Bronze Division)
The Lady Huskies enjoyed a successful rookie campaign by finishing second in the Bronze Division and making it to the postseason before losing to Central. All but two players are back for the move up to the Silver Division.
Junior point guard Ashley Pearsall has returned to lead the offense after averaging a team-best 20 points per game. Senior forward Shana Jordan and junior center Sabrya McDuffie will once again play key offensive roles after combining for 22 points per game last season. McDuffie is averaging 15 points in the preseason. Junior guard Dawn Hayes will serve as Prep Charter’s defensive specialist.
"We are looking pretty good," Benvenuto summed up.
Key players:
G Ashley Pearsall 5’3" JR
F Shana Jordan 5’8" SR
C Sabrya McDuffie 6’2" JR
G Crystal Enoch 5’8" JR
G Dawn Hayes 5’6" JR
G Keya Middelton 5’6" SR
G Jakiyyah Workman 5’2" JR
Coach’s outlook: "I am not going to say we are going to win the Silver Division because we are playing better teams and better athletes. If they play their game, they should be OK."
Schedule
Tomorrow Dobbins Away
Monday Washington Away
Jan. 7 Audenried Home
Jan. 9 Frankford Home
Jan. 12 Bodine Home
Jan. 14 Parkway Away
Jan. 23 Lamberton Away
Jan. 26 Girls’ High Home
Jan. 28 Dobbins Home
Feb. 2 Fels Away
Feb. 4 Ben Franklin Home
Feb. 6 Northeast Away
Feb. 11 Germantown Away
Team: Southern Lady Rams
Division: Public League Bronze
Coach: Bob Fisicaro
2003 record: 1-9 (Public League Silver Division)
Moving down a division might sound like a negative, but Fisicaro and the Lady Rams are actually looking forward to the opportunity to regroup and play neighborhood rivals Furness, Bok and Audenried during the regular season. Southern isn’t aiming as high as a Public League championship, but would like to come out on top among the local squads.
The team has only three girls returning from last year’s 1-9 program. Since the group is so young and inexperienced, the coach plans to dedicate most of the season to basic hoops training.
"I enjoy teaching," Fisicaro said. "We’ll be competitive in the Bronze, but that doesn’t help you win a championship."
Key players:
G Katrina Leopanto 5’6" SR
G Jessica Benson 5’5" JR
F/C Kristen Allen 5’9" JR
G Simone Scott 5’5" JR
F Kenyena Kendell 5’9" SR
Coach’s outlook: "I would like to finish above .500 and do well against the other three South Philly schools."
Southern’s schedule was not available at press time.
