St. Elizabeth's Win a Close One to Take 2008 Catholic Conference Junior Varsity Title
Vikes Prevail Over Spartans, 29 - 26
Freshman Andrea Hines calls up her left-side layup. Padua players can only watch and wait for the result. Note the elevation! Another 6 inches, she'll be touching the rim!
February 24, 2008
by Jim Charles & Tom Dunn
Once a year, at the end of the regular season, the four Catholic Conference programs put on a JV tournament to decide a somewhat informal JV championship. This year, Padua Academy hosted the first night's slate of games, while the action moved to Ursuline for the second and final night of games. It's a great and worthwhile event as it turns the spotlight on the JV players for a change. And why shouldn't they get top billing every now and again? They practice just as much as their varsity counterparts and work just as hard -- maybe even harder -- as they are all trying to progress to the varsity level.
This year's event was a wonderful showcase for players who will be making an impact at the next level as soon as next season. Perhaps the player that stood out the most was St. Elizabeth guard, Andrea Hines. Andrea led all scorers with 10 points in the Tournament Final (Feb. 23, 2008). All other varsity programs -- consider yourselves warned! This is a major up and coming talent! ...Oh yeah, and she made a bit of history by being the first JV player to attain the coveted and most cherished iPOW award. It's probably not too much of a stretch to say that Hines was clearly the difference maker during the final. She accounted for 34% of the Viking offensive output. No other teammate had more than 5 points. And this was a game decided by just 3 points over a very deep and balanced St. Mark's squad.
What follows are game action pictures from both nights of the tournament featuring all four teams and highlighting some of the better players.
Images from the Tournament
Padua point guard, Kristen Marbury contorts her body as she drives in for a layup. Brianna Norvell (#4) and Lisa Centrone (#12) can only observe.
Tori Casper was a dominant player in her CYM days. The skills are still there. All she wants is a chance at varsity.
Krista Panella seen just after she intercepted a Viking pass. Not blessed with much height, Panella nevertheless makes up for the deficiency by sporting a very physical game and using her head. (Older sister Kelsy is a senior on the Panda varsity team.)
Tianna Wagner, a player who split time between JV and varsity (like teammate Kristen Marbury), looks to inbound the ball. A guard equally at home at the 1 or the 2. Has a fine outside shot.
Courtney Migliocca in the blocks.
Krista Panella protects the ball against double pressure from Lisa Centrone and Courtney Migliocca.
Panda starting point guard, Colleen Justison. Without very much height nor flashy moves, Justison has developed an intelligent game that brings to the fore ball protection and advancement. Her positive disposition is an inspiration for her teammates.
Spartan point guard, Marra Taylor.
UA guard, Audra Cranston. Cranston was the hero of Ursuline's first round game versus St. Mark's. Although they ultimately lost in overtime, she poured in 12 points, including a 6-for-8 performance from the free-throw line.
Alex Witt gets ready to rebound the free throw.
Ken Jackson, for our money, the best JV coach in Delaware, tells his team, "You've come too far in this game already not to close it out!" We don't even play for him, yet we were inspired too!
A look at how physical things got. Ursuline's Alissa Norris is almost pulled off her feet by St. Mark's Megan Chudzik. To the right of them, two unbelievably gifted guards, Sam Bonvetti (#21) and Gab Perrotti (#2).
Three stellar players: Up front, Devon Arcieri with the ball; Ursuline freshman, Caly Wendel in pursuit; and Marra Taylor behind her.
Briana Goodge is about as fearless as they get. Very much a part of the new wave style of "in your face" physicality. Also great with the ball and can score when needed. Her 7 points led the team in the Tournament Final.
Rachel Samples and Megan Chudzik in the blocks.
Don't know what she's like off the court, but UA's Gab Perrotti is all business on it.
Click here for Tourney Photo Gallery #2!
*** The purpose of this page, like the rest of this site, is to promote girls basketball in the State of Delaware. This is hard to do if individual players cannot be singled out.
However, I will honor all requests by players or parents to remove their/their daughters' names and/or images from this review. I will also gladly correct any misspelled names, or add names where now I list only a player uniform number. Just email me. *** DelGirlsHoops@aol.comJim Charles