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Could it be a Neumann-Goretti sweep in the Catholic League title hunt? Last season, the Saints finally ended a playoff drought, one that was more than two decades old. Unlike last year, a first-round exit will no longer do. These Saints are hungry for a title, one that has eluded the program since 1978. All they need to do is get past nationally ranked Cardinal O’Hara.
On the Public League scene, Bok, Furness and Southern are looking forward to their head-to-head match-ups, as all three strive to improve on their 2005 marks. It will be tough to finish with strikes in the win column playing in the same division as championship contenders University City, Bartram, William Penn and Overbrook. But that doesn’t mean a .500 season is out of reach for any of the teams.
The Prep Charter Lady Huskies, now in their fourth year, were the lone South Philadelphia representative at the girls’ basketball state playoffs last season. Despite having a new coach and a completely revamped varsity roster, Prep Charter plans to once again play in March.
Catholic League
Team: Neumann-Goretti Saints
Coach: Chip Reitano
Division: Southern
2005 record: 19-8 overall, 6-6 league
Home court: 10th and Moore streets ![](http://ftp.gmnews.com/images/media.southphillyreview.com/images/spr-4008-Sports-1a.jpg")
When it comes to Philadelphia Catholic League basketball, Cardinal O’Hara gets all the headlines. They should. The Lions are the defending champs and have a line-up that features four Division I athletes. O’Hara opened the season ranked 12th in the USA Today Top-25 poll and first in The Inquirer’s Southeastern, Pa., Top 10.
But the Saints have no problem playing the underdog role. They’re the only other Catholic League team to crack The Inquirer Top 10, opening the season ranked fifth. The squad is off to a 2-0 start, outscoring Penn Charter and Maryland’s Elizabeth-Seton by a combined scored of 134-82.
"I think people know we’re coming," Reitano said. "We are not going to surprise anybody. If we come out and play our game, we’ll be a tough team to beat."
The Saints line-up features Division I players Shante Cummings and Jimerea Lee, who are heading to the University of Central Florida next fall. In last week’s 78-49 win over Prep Charter, Cummings recorded a triple-double, 17 points, 12 assists and 12 steals. The only downside so far is that junior point guard Jasmine Daniels is sidelined with torn ligaments in her left ankle, which may force her to miss next week’s Beach Ball Classic Tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
"This is obviously the best team and most well-rounded team we’ve had in my six years as coach," Reitano said. "We’ve got some depth and we’ve got some shooters. I am proud of the kids and how hard they’re working."
Key players:
C Gloria Brown JR
F Shante Cummings SR
G/F Amberel Diaz JR
G Jimerea Lee SR
G Jasmine Daniels JR
G Alison Nelson SO
G Caitlyn Smith JR
F Dienna Tropea JR
Teams to beat: Cardinal O’Hara and Archbishop Carroll
Coach’s outlook: "Feb. 28 is the date we’re shooting for. I don’t want to be on press row watching the game. I want to be on the sidelines coaching it."
Schedule
Dec. 17-21 Beach Ball Classic (Myrtle Beach, S.C.)
Dec. 29-30 Roundball Classic Home TBA
Jan. 5 West Catholic Away 6 p.m.
Jan. 8 St. Hubert (at Gwynedd-Mercy College) 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 10 Archbishop Carroll Home 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 13 Little Flower Home 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 14 Dover Away 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 17 Cardinal O’Hara Away 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 21 Germantown Academy (at Cardinal O’Hara) 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 24 Archbishop Prendergast Home 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 31 West Catholic Home 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 2 Archbishop Carroll Away 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 6 Little Flower Away 5 p.m.
Feb. 10 Cardinal O’Hara Home 7 p.m.
Feb. 12 Francis Lewis (N.Y.) (at Lower Merion) 3:30 p.m.
Feb. 14 Hallahan Home 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 16 Archbishop Prendergast Away 7 p.m.
Public League
All games start at 3 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Team: Bok Wildkittens
Coach: Greg Frangipani
Division: AAAA South
2005 record: 3-8 league
PIAA Classification: AAAA
Home court: Eighth and Mifflin streets
One bad quarter can make all the difference. In their Dec. 5 non-league game against Prep Charter, the Wildkittens had a 9-5 lead after one quarter. At halftime, Bok found itself trailing 32-12 and ended up losing 54-31. Tomorrow, the games start counting with Bok opening league play against Southern.
"It should give us a better idea of how we are," Frangipani said. "Hopefully, we’ll do a little bit better than last year."
Junior guard-forward Devita Austin, who averaged 14 points per game as a sophomore, scored a team-high of 12 points against Prep Charter.
"She is our best shooter and rebounder," Frangipani said.
Junior guard Lacy Davis also started every game as a sophomore.
Key players:
G/F Devita Austin JR
G Lacy Davis JR
G Denea Johnson SR
G/F Tiyauna Jenkins SR
F Alexis Warren JR
G Susan Perrone JR
Teams to beat: University City, Bartram and Overbrook
Coach’s outlook: "If we end up 7-7, I’ll be happy."
Schedule
Dec. 16 Southern Away
Dec. 21 Bartram Home
Dec. 27-28 Ben Franklin Christmas Tournament TBA
Jan. 4 William Penn Home
Jan. 9 Dobbins Away
Jan. 11 Furness Home
Jan. 13 Overbrook Away
Jan. 18 Edison Home
Jan. 23 West Philly Away
Jan. 25 Kensington Away
Jan. 27 Mastbaum Away
Feb. 1 University City Away
Team: Furness Lady Falcons
Coach: Bob Weidinger
Division: AAAA South
2005 record: 4-7 league
PIAA Classification: AAAA
Home court: Third and Mifflin streets ![](http://ftp.gmnews.com/images/media.southphillyreview.com/images/spr-4008-Sports-1b.jpg")
The Lady Falcons open the season tomorrow against Public League runner-up University City. The Jaguars’ line-up features four returning starters, including North Carolina State-bound Chanita Jordan, a 6-foot-5 center. As great as it would be to upset one of the city’s top teams, the Falcons are striving toward more attainable goals, like improving on last year’s four-win mark. Weidinger said his team should have strong guard play, led by returning three-year starter Shaneek Copper.
"She is an excellent player," Weidinger said.
Key players:
G Shaneek Copper JR
F Tyieshia Parks JR
F Tyshawnna Parks JR
F Crystal Nunez SR
G/F Sabrina Powell FR
Teams to beat: Bartram and University City
Coach’s outlook: "I would like for us to try and get to 5-5 or 6-5."
Schedule
Dec. 16 University City Home
Dec. 21 Dobbins Away
Jan. 4 Mastbaum Home
Jan. 9 Penn Away
Jan. 11 Bok Away
Jan. 13 Edison Home
Jan. 18 Southern Away
Jan. 23 Kensington Home
Jan. 25 Overbrook Away
Jan. 27 West Philly Home
Feb. 1 Bartram Away
Team: Prep Charter Lady Huskies
Coach: Paul Rieser
Division: C
2005 record: 13-7 overall, 10-2 league
PIAA Classification: AA
Home court: 1928 Point Breeze Ave.
In two non-league games so far, the Lady Huskies have outscored their opponents 116-48. This is coming from a team that lost seven players to graduation. Senior guard Courtney Pratt, who played sparingly as a junior, is the only one returning with some varsity and state tournament experience. That works just fine for Rieser, who has implanted his up-tempo, trapping-style of play, which will allow Prep Charter to take advantage of its speed.
"It’s a lot easier because most of the girls didn’t play meaningful minutes last season," he said. "We want to try and generate as much backcourt pressure as possible to create turnovers."
The system also will help compensate for the team’s lack of size, as the Lady Huskies’ two tallest players are 5-foot-10. The sister act of Raven Jones, a freshman guard, and Emerald Robinson, a junior guard, are averaging a combined 30-plus points per game through two match-ups.
The coach enjoyed some success with the Prep Charter junior varsity boys basketball program last season, guiding them to an 11-1 mark.
Key players:
G Emerald Robinson JR
G Raven Jones FR
G Courtney Pratt SR
G/F Shamyra Wear JR
F Vikki Wylie SO
C Deara Chambers JR
G Erin Hunley SO
Teams to beat: Engineering & Science, Freire and Bodine
Coach’s outlook: "I am very optimistic. We are young and our style of play is very conducive to our talent level. I think we have a legitimate shot of getting back to states."
Schedule
Dec. 14 Communications Home
Dec. 16 Philadelphia Electric Home
Dec. 19 Mariana Bracetti Academy Home 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 21 Esperanza Away
Dec. 27-28 Conwell-Egan Tournament TBA
Jan. 4 Lamberton Away
Jan. 9 Freire Home
Jan. 11 Human Services Away
Jan. 13 Engineering & Science Home
Jan. 18 Imhotep Away
Jan. 23 Bodine Home
Jan. 25 Masterman Away
Jan. 27 Del-Val Away
Jan. 30 Communications Home 3:30 p.m.
Team: Southern Lady Rams
Coach: Gene Jordan
Division: AAAA South
2005 record: 0-11 league
PIAA Classification: AAAA
Home court: Broad Street and Snyder Avenue
After going winless in 2005, things should improve at Broad Street and Snyder Avenue. Last year’s roster consisted of several varsity newcomers, but the combination of experience and transfer Anani Arandules, who was Audenried’s starting point guard last season, should help. After Audenried closed in the spring, a majority of students transferred to Southern.
"I think we’ll be better," Jordan said. "Anani gives a point guard, which we didn’t have last year, and senior experience. She is really going to help us a lot."
Key players:
G Anani Arandules SR
C Kristin Belmon SO
F Nyeemah Muhammad SO
G Maya Hunter SR
F/G Fateemah Daniels SR
Teams to beat: University City, Bartram, William Penn and Overbrook
Coach’s outlook: "I am optimistic that we are going to be better. I am trying to keep the kids up because I know what we’re facing [competition]."
Schedule
Dec. 16 Bok Home
Dec. 21 Kensington Away
Jan. 4 West Philadelphia Away
Jan. 9 Bartram Away
Jan. 11 Mastbaum Home
Jan. 13 William Penn Away
Jan. 18 Furness Home
Jan. 23 Edison Away
Jan. 25 University City Home
Jan. 27 Dobbins Away
Feb. 1 Overbrook Home
