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Can the Neumann-Goretti girls’ basketball team make it four straight Catholic League playoff appearances?
Some skeptics might view the scenario as extremely difficult after graduating six players, including Catholic League MVP Gloria Brown (NC State) and Second Team All-Catholic selection Jasmine Daniels (Bethune-Cookman). This talented group led the Saints to back-to-back 20-win seasons and compiled 75 victories over three years. Luckily, there is plenty of time for the returning vets and newcomers to jell.
A big part of that preparation is the annual summer trek to Grantham for the Messiah College girls team camp. Sunday, coach Chip Reitano and his group of 15 departed for the camp, which is part of the yearly off-season routine. The five-day event, which concluded today at 12:30 p.m., was more important than ever as the squad has several holes to fill.
"I think more than anything is just getting them to work together and get used to playing together," Reitano said prior to departing.
At Messiah, the Saints fielded junior varsity and varsity teams, both of which played 11 games. Mornings were spent in a drill factory, where agility, ball-handling and hand-eye coordination were stressed. Between games and skill sessions, campers had access to the indoor pool and enjoyed meals in the Messiah dining hall. Everybody stayed in the dorms.
"This is the time for these kids to bond as a team, especially for the younger kids who have never been through it before," Reitano said. "It’s an opportunity for kids to get great experience. We play a lot of good teams [at Messiah]"
The squad will adjust its style of play, which is to be expected when a 6-foot-2 center departs. Brown, who was the Review Female Athlete of the Year in 2006 and ’07, was a dominating force as she tallied more than 1,800 points, 1,200 rebounds and 400 blocks — all school records — during her high-school career. Add to that her status as a McDonald’s All-American finalist and she tops the list as one of the best female athletes ever to walk the halls at 10th and Moore streets.
Instead of wasting time searching for a replacement, Reitano is adjusting his system to fit the current group. Gaining experience is the main focus of the summer, as Reitano has only three returning players with significant varsity time. This leaves the squad in need of new leaders. Allison Nelson, who will be a senior in the fall, is a strong candidate with two years of varsity experience including the ’06 Catholic League championship contest where Neumann-Goretti lost to Cardinal O’Hara. Junior-to-be Ashley White, who earned Second Team All-Catholic honors in ’07, also could fill the void. Senior Siedah Dallas is the only other returnee that saw varsity minutes last season.
"[Team camp] is a chance for the older kids to step up and show they’re leaders," the coach said. "We’ll see who wants to take on the job of team captain."
Syreeta Fauntroy, who dressed for the varsity squad as a junior but didn’t play, also could figure into the mix.
"She is doing a nice job of rebounding and scoring," Reitano said.
With so many holes, the camp also provides Reitano the opportunity to evaluate the younger talent. Michaila Hatty and Christina Furia, who both suited-up for junior varsity as rookies, as well as incoming freshman Adriana Sciascia, are some of the faces who could fill the spots. All three played with the varsity group in the Roxborough-based summer league, where the Saints finished second with a 6-1 mark that included victories over Archbishop Ryan and defending Public League champ Central. The lone defeat came July 19 against first-place Engineering & Science, 33-32. The opposition scored the winning basket with 11 seconds remaining.
The upside is the South Philly squad can still walk away with the championship as the playoff round opens tonight. Between their game and afternoon return from camp, the Saints are in for a very busy Thursday.
"I would like to win [the championship], but the whole point of summer is to get the kids acclimated to playing with each other," Reitano said. "We play over a six-week period and get a jump on things."
At the camp, freshmen took the court against other junior varsity squads to help better prepare them for the tougher challenges when the games count toward the season record.
Come November, Reitano said he’ll be just fine playing the underdog.
"I don’t think [other teams] expect things from us," the coach said. "The kids work hard all summer to try and get better.
"We’re not going to take a step back."
Like many before them, the camp could inspire the group to continue beyond their high school years.
"[The Messiah camp] is a good experience for the kids that want to play in college," Reitano said. "Hopefully, it’s most of them."
