Healthy attitude

Maya Hunter has never missed a day of high school. Through sore throats and low-grade fevers, the South Philadelphia High junior has persevered. She hopes to graduate with perfect attendance.

"I like school," said Hunter, of 12th and Christian streets. "If I get good grades, I get to go to college. If I get good grades in college, I get a good job and make lots of money."

She is just as resilient in the face of an ailing basketball team. Hunter, a varsity rookie for the Lady Rams, doesn’t dwell on her squad’s 0-6 record. Instead, she does everything she can to help the healing process.

The 5-foot-6 guard brings her positive energy to every practice and game.

Her teammates can use the encouragement.

Aside from last month’s eight-point loss to Bok, Southern has lost all of its games by at least 16 points. Those stats don’t include yesterday’s contest against Furness, which started after press time.

On Friday, Bartram dealt Southern a 69-10 defeat. The Lady Rams’ eight first-quarter points included Hunter’s only basket of the game.

Despite the battering from Bartram, Hunter constantly attacked the ball and cheered on her teammates. Whenever she was on the bench and one of Southern’s players had the ball, she shouted, "Make it, baby!"

This season’s extra challenges are a result of the enrollment-based realignment of the Public League, which has matched the Lady Rams against some of the city’s top teams game after game. In the old Bronze Division, squads were grouped according to skill level.

Not long ago, Southern had one of the top basketball programs in Philadelphia, winning the Public League title in 1999. When star player Christine Cruz went on to Temple University, the program began a steady decline, falling from the top Gold Division to the Bronze.

Now the struggling Lady Rams are playing many Gold-caliber teams, but Hunter, 16, refuses to be intimidated.

"I don’t think those teams are much better," she said. "I think they are equals and I try my hardest."

Hunter’s no-quit attitude has caught the attention of first-year varsity coach Gene Jordan, who replaced the retired Bob Fisicaro.

He noticed the player’s potential in her sophomore year, when she was named junior-varsity MVP. The varsity players are bigger and more experienced, but Hunter keeps charging like the Energizer Bunny.

"She keeps working hard," Jordan said. "We could be down by 20 points, but she doesn’t quit. She plays hard the whole game."

In last Wednesday’s 49-23 loss to West Philly, Hunter was playing such tough defense that she ended up falling down. Everybody enjoyed a good laugh, including Hunter, who got right back up and nailed a three-pointer in the face of the West Philly player who knocked her down.

"She is one of our better three-point shooters," Jordan said.

Hunter was just following the example of her favorite NBA player, Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets. Anthony led Syracuse University to the 2003 National Championship title as a freshman.

"He never gives up, so I don’t give up," said Hunter, who added that the NBA star is "cute."

While Anthony tries to lead his Nuggets to the NBA playoffs, Hunter, who is nicknamed "Melo" by her teammates, will do her best to keep things upbeat at Broad Street and Snyder Avenue.

One of her tactics is singing the 1970s funk hit Brickhouse before practices and games.

"I like to make people laugh," said Hunter, who aspires to become a lawyer or judge.

But next season, the player expects the Lady Rams to be taken more seriously. As the lone senior next year, Hunter will take over as team captain.

And as for this year’s record, well, she’s not going to get sick about it.

"As long as we try our best, I don’t care how many games we lose," Hunter said. "We’ll just have to strive more next year."

Remaining games

Tomorrow Mastbaum Home

Wednesday Randolph Away

Feb. 2 William Penn Home

All games start at 3:15 p.m.