2007/2008 Season

Jim’s Pre-Season Top Five

Why just five teams?  Why not ten?  Well, first of all, I'm growing lazy in my old age.  Secondly, meaning no offense to anyone, who really cares who the 6th best team in the State is?  So basically, I'm telling you who I think will be playing in the Final Foul plus one honorable mention.

My Thought Process:

5.  Caravel Academy

The loss of point guard/team leader Ashley Steele and forward Brittani Shells via graduation will be felt.  Still, impact players Dara Taylor and Karona Roach will return, and the balance of the Lady Bucs squad is in good shape and should be ready to go.  They will be much more comfortable this year as sophomore Head Coach Kristin Caldwell starts to really mold this team into her own.  Barring injuries, I look for the Caravelians to compete hard this coming season.

4.  Padua Academy

Padua made a huge improvement to their program during the off-season by naming Mike McCafferty as the new Head Coach.  He replaces Maureen Faulkner.  With the subsequent naming of Dennis Leizear as JV Head Coach, the last remaining links to the John Armstrong Era have been broken.  Coach Armstrong (who has been coaching at Concord the last couple of seasons) did pilot the Pandas to their last State Title in 1999, but in fairness to all concerned, the program was at a point where new blood - a clean sweep - in coaches was needed.

In terms of roster, Padua - guard heavy as usual - returns solid juniors, Erin Pitcher and Kelsy Panella.  Fellow juniors, Katie Shields and Kelly Johnson, will compete for point guard duties - both players deserving to start.  Senior forward, Katey Briggs and junior swing player, Katie Jezyk will bring physicality to the lineup and keep opponents honest.  I fully expect the Pandas to open up their offense as compared to last year.  The shooters are there.  All the guards are deadly from outside, but most will jam it in close when they have to - Erin Pitcher best embodying that style of guard play.  Above all else, the Paduinians can flat out run.  Look for Coach McCafferty to play to this strength and leave opponents in the dust.

3.  St. Elizabeth's

Third-best in State for most teams would really be something to crow about.  For the Lady Vikings, though, it will not be cause for celebration.  Coming off a great run of years with Khadijah Rushdan leading the way, the Vikes will have to find a way without her.  To be sure, there is a lot of talent still on the roster.  Seniors, Joy Rutland and Symone Woody have shown consistent flashes of brilliance dating all the way back to their CYM days.  Fellow senior, Amanda Craig plays all phases of the game like a walking Spaulding Guide.  She enters her second year as a team captain along with Woody.  St. E's in the Rushdan Era was all about spectacular, eye-popping, jaw-dropping play.  The players mentioned above will provide their share of oooh's and aahhh's, as will freshman Paige Davis (returning for her second year) and sophomore Anna Tiberi. 

Bottom line?  I expect the same type of basketball from St. E's that we've come to expect over the last 4 or 5 years.  Harlem Globetrotter ball control and passing, an aggressive, on the balls of their feet defense, and a we'll-keep-scoring-until-you-say-uncle offense.  There will be flubs and broken plays, but these will be errors of commission - nothing to be ashamed of.

2.  St. Mark's

The Lady Spartans should be, if my prognostication is correct, the most improved team going into this season.  Jess Calderone and Christina Rivituso are gone, but most everybody else should be back.  Last year, in my opinion, mistakes were made when the rosters were set.  Notwithstanding, St. Mark's just barely missed out breaking into the Final Four last spring.  If Coach Fiorelli picks the best players (something he didn't do in every case last year) the Green & Gold should be there in the end. 

I'm a bit handicapped not knowing who has made the roster this year, but I will guess my way through it.  Senior, Steph Nichols is all kinds of good.  I've seen her play since she was 10 years old.  With her, the only question is how much does she want to play?  If the desire is there, few can match what she brings to the court offensively.  Jessica Cook.  A non-roster player last year, Jess nevertheless continued to tear up the AAU circuit this past spring and summer.  If Jess makes the team, listen to me now and believe me later:  This player is among the very top tier all-around high school girls players I've ever seen.  No less than that.  The Spartans will be measurably better with her on the team, and she could make the difference.  A lot to put on a kid, but there's little that she doesn't excel at.  Other standouts include junior guard, Jeanne Knowles, sophomore forward, Annie Rivituso, and senior utility player, Monica Celli - one of the few girls in the state to consistently and properly box out opponents on every shot.  Senior, Kim Dwyer is deadly from the arc.  If the Spartans have a secret weapon, it's probably soph, Marra Taylor.  As a freshman last year, Taylor got called up to varsity sometime during the season.  Listed at 5'3", she doesn't look like much - but boy, can she play!  This is a player who should have three more years in her at varsity.

Handling the Xs and Os will be John Fiorelli and Michele Albanese.  One, a legendary six-time State Champion coach, the other, an equally renowned former Spartan player.  Game strategy and management will not be a problem.

1.  Ursuline Academy

Make no mistake about it.  Without all-world, UConn-bound phenom, Elena Delle Donne, the Lady Raiders would still be in the hunt for a title this year.  Senior, Kayla Miller brings a hardnosed intensity to her role as the lead guard.  Splitting the guard chores with Miller is fellow senior, Erin Edwards.  Both girls play intelligent, crisp basketball. Junior, Kelley Doogan should, if given the opportunity, have her long-awaited breakout year.  Here's a player that by all accounts is good.  This year, I expect her to make the transition to great.  Senior, Shannon O'Hanlon provides an intimidating and capable presence underneath the basket.  But wait a minute!  They do have Elena Delle Donne!  So, as Arnold Schwarzenegger would say, "Game ovah."  Elena will want to redeem herself for the lackluster performance she turned in last year in the State Final.  And it is my guess that she will go out with a bang (in the best sense of the word).

Last year, I did very well with my picks.  Well, at least I had the first five teams nailed.  Anyone could've gotten Ursuline/St. E's for the Title Game, but to be right with #3, 4, & 5 is a pretty good call.  Do I expect to do as well this year?  Frankly, no.  Eventually, a downstate team is going to rise up and push its way into The Bob.  A couple times a decade it happens.  And, even New Castle County public school teams can be pesky every now and then.  Glasgow has some very good players and could definitely make some noise.  Concord could be strong.  So, I might have these teams all wrong!  We'll just have to wait and see. 

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