The St. Maria Goretti basketball program hasn’t often been associated with words like "playoffs" and "college recruiters."
But with a 10-1 record and a strong co-captain in Janae Ostrowski, the squad is optimistic about making the playoffs for the first time in 17 seasons. It’s the Lambs’ last opportunity to play in the postseason as a single-sex school before it consolidates with Neumann.
"Basketball is a lot more serious to Janae than it was in the past," Goretti basketball coach Chip Reitano said of his star player. "She knows what’s riding on this [season]. There’s an opportunity for Goretti to make great strides."
Aside from this season’s ten victories — which mark the best start in the program’s 45-year history — the Lambs will open Catholic League play with something perhaps more crucial than wins: confidence.
"I want to make it to the playoffs," Ostrowski said. "I think it’s really realistic. On a scale of one to 10, I’d say it’s a 10."
The coach believes the player’s determination can help carry the team to its goal.
"Janae is mature and has great leadership skills," Reitano said. "She keeps everything under control and makes sure everyone is on the same page."
The 6-foot-1 center’s stats nicely complement her composure on the court. Ostrowski entered Tuesday’s Catholic League opener against Archbishop Prendergast averaging 10.5 points, 12 rebounds and 5.5 blocks per game.
The 17-year-old and her teammates already have put last year’s winless season far behind them.
"We play more like a team," Ostrowski said. "We are more aggressive and we know how to run the floor."
Ostrowski’s career blossomed from her days of biddy basketball at the EOM Athletic Association, Front and Moore streets. The athlete, of the 200 block of Galloway Street, then played for Sacred Heart basketball before wearing Goretti’s red and white.
No matter what the outcome of the 2004 season, Ostrowski isn’t ready to retire from the court. The athlete has received close to a dozen scholarship offers, ranging from Division I St. Francis to junior college Chestnut Hill. Local Division III programs Cabrini and Gywnedd-Mercy rank at the top of her choices.
"She can’t go wrong with most of the choices," Reitano said. "She’ll get a lot of experience in Division III."
Ostrowski has until March to make her final decision. In the meantime, she’ll focus on the Lambs’ playoff quest. With Archbishop Carroll, Cardinal O’Hara and Archbishop Prendergast known to dominate the first, second and third playoff spots, that fourth slot is usually a dogfight among the four remaining teams.
Reitano wouldn’t predict the team’s fate because the Lambs’ regular season is only one game deep. But before the start of conditioning, the coach told the squad he would be disappointed if it didn’t make the playoffs.
"We’re not a powerhouse team, but we have a nice group of kids who understand the game," he said. "I really think that if I had to predict [whether we’ll make the playoffs], then I’d say we can."
Reitano said everything has to fall into place for the Lambs, including taking their play to a higher level. The three wins Goretti clinched from Catholic League teams in the North in the preseason, as well as the championship title in the first-ever Goretti Roundball Classic holiday tournament, have set the tone for a winning season.
Tuesday, the Lambs put an end to their Catholic League losing streak by beating Archbishop Prendergast 50-46. Ostrowski contributed three points and a strong defensive effort, while junior forward Shonte Skinner scored a team-high 31 points.
Reitano gave Ostrowski much of the credit for the win due to her skilled defense.
"She did a real nice job in the middle," the coach said. "We won the game because of defense. She really controlled the defense last night."
Ostrowski, who set a Catholic League record with 108 blocks last season, blocked 54 shots in the Lambs’ first 10 games. Reitano said the two-year starter’s success is a result of her perseverance and commitment.
"She had a good junior year, but this year you can see the difference in her as an all-around player," he said.
When Ostrowski wasn’t working out twice a week and practicing with her Goretti teammates over the summer, she was playing on the Philadelphia Belles team. Ostrowski said the AAU squad gave her an opportunity to practice twice during the week and play on the weekends, as well as compete at a higher level.
In her little remaining free time, the teen serves as a member of Goretti’s Community Service Corps and the Goretti Peace Ambassador Corps. She also plays in the Second and Jackson park league and coaches biddy basketball at EOM. Ostrowski said she learns a lot from coaching through the leagues but, more importantly, feels good about giving back to the community where she began to play basketball as an 8-year-old.
Nine years later, the likely Division III prospect is on the brink of a basketball scholarship and, if she has it her way, a playoff season.
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Sports writer Bill Gelman contributed to this story.
