The right fit

It’s Crystal Enoch’s sophomore year and her Strawberry Mansion basketball team is playing the Prep Charter Lady Huskies.

Enoch’s first thought is, "Prep Charter who?"

And at that point, the Lady Huskies weren’t too memorable. Gold Division Strawberry Mansion overmatched the rookie program in the game, holding the Lady Huskies to just four points in the first six minutes.

The following year, Enoch made sure no one took the Lady Huskies lightly. After transferring to Prep Charter, the athlete joined the basketball team in her junior year and contributed 21 points, five rebounds and three assists per game. The team MVP and All-Public selection regularly boosted her teammates to victory.

Enoch — better known as "Magic" to head coach Linda Page — helped Prep Charter contend for the Silver Division crown and advance to the Public League quarterfinals in its second season as a varsity program.

"We are a good team," said the soft-spoken North Philly resident. "My teammates accepted me and allowed me to step in. Other teams wouldn’t let me do it."

Assistant coach Lisa Benvenuto is particularly impressed with the junior’s leadership skills.

"She tries to make everyone else step up to her level," the coach said.

Indeed, the 17-year-old made an immediate impact, one worthy of special recognition — the Review‘s Female Athlete of the Year award.

Enoch brought 11 years of experience to her position as team leader. She grew up playing in recreation leagues at 22nd and Olney and, before long, was earning MVP awards as an elementary-school player.

In high school, the athlete enjoyed playing for the competitive Strawberry Mansion team, which finished second in the Gold Division behind Central her sophomore year. But seeking an academic alternative, Enoch transferred to Prep Charter in March 2003.

The A-B student was up for a challenge, but adjusted well to her new surroundings. She even looked forward to performing the school’s weekly community-service requirement at the daycare at Fels Community Center, Broad and Ritner streets.

And the forward wasted no time in elevating the Lady Huskies’ game a few notches. Enoch’s standout junior year has Division I schools Temple and Indiana showing interest, but she is most enthused about her squad moving up to the Gold Division.

"I played in the Gold Division," said the athlete, whose favorite player is former Olympic gold medallist Sheryl Swoopes. "I feel we’re ready for the Gold."

Enoch quickly helped the Lady Huskies dispel their doubters last season, forcing Gold Division squad John Bartram into overtime in the quarterfinal loss. Some might consider it a moral victory, but that’s no comfort to Enoch.

"I don’t like to lose," she explained.

When she plays in the Hank Gathers League this summer, Enoch will be honing her skills for a championship run. For the Lady Huskies, that will mean sticking to the plays on offense and making sure everybody works hard at every practice.

Last season, Enoch often led the offense, scoring 34 points in a win over Dobbins and 28 in a victory against Fels.

And before she pursues her dream of playing for Division I Duke University, the athlete wants to put Prep Charter on the board for good.

Benvenuto is confident that the star player will lead the Lady Huskies into contention for the Public League crown.

"She is definitely the back we need to get on to make next year a memorable season," the coach said.

And Enoch has a message about next season for all the opposing squads, including her former teammates at Strawberry Mansion:

"See you at the end."

Runners-up

Carlene Hightower, Archbishop Prendergast basketball

This 6-foot-1 player isn’t just one of the best female athletes in South Philadelphia — she is among the city’s finest. The First Team All-Catholic selection, of 33rd and Reed streets, led the Pandas’ offense with 20 points, 12 rebounds and five steals per game, helping her squad advance to the Catholic League playoffs. Even though Hightower’s team didn’t win, the standout athlete has a bright future with a Division I scholarship to La Salle University.

Natasha Scott, St. Maria Goretti basketball

The first four-time All-Catholic selection in Goretti basketball history graduated last week. This 5-foot-4 point guard was a driving force behind the Lambs’ 15-win season — the most wins for the program since 1982. She finished with 903 career points, averaging 8.9 points, four assists and three rebounds a game. Scott will continue playing at Division II Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington, Del.

Felicia Reilly, CAPA volleyball

This soon-to-be grad from the High School for the Creative and Performing Arts enjoyed a senior year that she’ll long remember by leading her squad to the girls’ volleyball Public League championship game. The Roxborough resident helped her team finish the regular season with a 9-1 record, second to undefeated Masterman — the same squad that defeated the Pegasus for the crown. It was only the second time in program history that CAPA had advanced to the title game, with the first trip coming in 2001.