Spartans Take the Bite Out of the Cougars

St. Mark's 46, Delcastle 35

December 14, 2007

by Jim Charles

Monica Celli looks to pass to open teammate, Stephanie Nichols (#10).

"A State Championship."  That's what St. Mark's point guard, Monica Celli, wants most of all for her team.  Thursday night's game with Delcastle revealed that the road to that goal may be bumpier and more challenging than the Spartans would have wished. 

While an 11-point margin of victory would seem comfortable enough, this contest was much closer than the score would indicate.

Delcastle came out of the gate a little unpolished and inconsistent, but they were a determined squad - not the least bit intimidated by the Green and Gold.  Both teams tried pushing the ball inside and only infrequently dialed up perimeter shots.  (St. Mark's Stephanie Nichols had the only 3-pointer in the game.)  St. Mark's looked flat most of the night, and this lack of sharpness and control of the game allowed the Cougars to hang in there until the last 3 or 4 minutes of the final period.  At that point, the Spartan offense finally kicked into gear and delivered a flurry of baskets that put the game away.  Key performances for the victors came from Stephanie Nichols (16 points, 9 from the stripe), Gabrielle Jackson (12 points), Annie Rivituso (10 points), Amanda Farrell and Kim Dwyer (4 points each).

It's been a long while since Delcastle has made any real noise in girls hoops.  They showed Thursday that they are just a player or two away.  They were down only by a basket at halftime and were actually up 26-25 coming out of the 3rd quarter.  But the St. Markians threw down a 21-9 fourth quarter and that was all she wrote.  Standouts for the Cougars include Jaquetta May (15 points), Ashley Robbins (13 points), and Bianca Parker (5 points).

The keys to the win?  According to Monica Celli, "We had to play real good defense.  Delcastle is a really fast team.  Very physical.  We had to control the ball."

Above:  St. Mark's Standout, Gabrielle Jackson

More Monica

As a former coach myself, I can attest that if you are going to accomplish anything as a team, your point guard is crucial.  She not only has to have the physical skills, but should match that up with equal parts leadership and intelligence.  In this respect, John Fiorelli is in good shape this year.  The really amazing thing is that Celli has had to learn a lot in a short time.  While playing basketball since age 5, she has never played point before this season!

When asked what she appreciates most about the sport, she replied, "I like when the team works together and the feeling you get after a win or a good game.  I like how I put so much time into it and the results that can be achieved."

The University of Delaware and Drexel figure into her academic future, although she recognizes that this may limit her playing days.  As she put it, "I could try out, but I'm going to be realistic about it."  If that doesn't put everything into perspective, I don't know what does.

More images from the Game

Freshman starter for the Cougars, guard, Maria Talarowski

The incomparable senior, guard/forward, Stephanie Nichols

Delcastle's Ashley Robbins going in for two.

Jessica Cook looking to pass into traffic worse than I-95 during rush hour.

St. Mark's Annie Rivituso (directly under the ball) fights for position along with 8 other players.

Gabrielle Jackson looking to make one.

Jim Charles