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 My Site News: BG shows closeness of a champion |
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BG shows closeness of a champion
By Buck Frank, bfrank@altoonamirror.com
UNIVERSITY PARK — Bishop Guilfoyle senior Mary Forr just helped her team accomplish the ultimate goal in high school basketball Saturday afternoon, yet still felt a bit of sadness.
“We won, so I’m happy, but I’m still crying,’’ Forr said. “I can’t believe it’s over.’’
The other senior starters for the Lady Marauders, who earned the PIAA Class A championship with a hard-fought 43-38 win over Pittsburgh North Catholic at the Bryce Jordan Center, had similar feelings. Courtney Carroll wanted to stay dressed in her uniform, and Dani Williams was dreading the start of spring sports.
“I’m really sad,’’ Williams said. “It kind of stinks to go as far as we could go, and now I got to go to track practice Monday.’’
Don’t get them wrong. The Lady Marauders were every bit excited to be carrying around the trophy with the gold ball Saturday after giving BG its first state title in 14 years. After the final buzzer sounded, Carroll jumped into Forr’s arms, and Williams and her freshman sister, Alli, hugged at midcourt as the rest of the team sprinted to join in on the glee. The BG fans, who showed up in full force, wildly applauded.
The moment was one that will be forever etched in the Lady Marauders’ minds.
But in the midst of all the celebration, the fact that the girls were also sad to see the season end — with a school-record 31 victories — only spoke to the makeup of this championship team. The players didn’t just seem to enjoy the reward but also the journey that got them there — a journey that was shared with each other.
“We all wanted to win for each other,’’ Forr said. “None of it was for ourselves. We each wanted each other to win the gold. It didn’t matter who scores, makes the steal or gets the rebound. We were just happy for all to do well.’’
The six Lady Marauders who saw action Saturday all played well at varying times throughout their 8-0 playoff run.
Forr got things started with a 27-point effort in their playoff opening-win over Laurel Valley, senior Ashley Helsel was stellar on offense and defense in the District 6 championship win over Penns Manor, Carroll played flawless point guard in the first two state playoff routs of Rockwood and Lancaster Country Day and kept the composed against Nativity BVM, junior Christine Conrad scored 17 points in the Eastern final win over Bishop O’Reilly, and the Williams sisters combined for 18 points and 21 rebounds Saturday.
Each senior starter also specialized in a certain role for the team throughout their 31-1 season that included a Mountain Athletic Conference Division II championship, a Lady Marauder Classic title and close wins over rivals Altoona, Central and Bishop McCort.
Forr was the go-to player who led the team in scoring. Helsel was the defensive specialist who always guarded the team’s best offensive player. Carroll could have been a higher scorer as a two-guard but handled the point duties well. Dani Williams led the team in rebounding while adding athleticism.
“We don’t have one selfish girl,’’ Carroll said. “That’s what makes us one as a team. That’s how we were right from the beginning and how we stayed until the very end.’’
That kind of team basketball can only be forged from relationships off the court, and the Lady Marauders began those friendships at an early age. The four senior starters played AAU basketball together as youngsters and continued through their junior high and high school years.
“We all love each other,’’ Helsel said. “Not one of us doesn’t like another one, and that keeps us strong.’’
BG coach Mark Moschella has now coached in six state finals and earned his second title Saturday. He was also an assistant coach when the 1991 BG girls, who played team basketball as well as any this area has seen, won a state championship.
Moschella said Saturday he’ll remember this year’s team in a similar way.
“They had a true, sincere caring for each other,’’ he said. “I don’t think I ever remember a team where if someone gets injured, the other four feel the pain. I haven’t been around kids this close. I won’t remember one basketball play this year or who made a shot, but I’ll always remember the caring.’’
That’s why Saturday’s victory gave the Lady Marauders feelings of exuberance and satisfaction, yet also a genuine want for it to continue.
“It still hasn’t hit me that it’s over,’’ Forr said. “I would love it if Coach would call me Monday and say there’s practice from 5 to 6:30.’’
Buck Frank can be reached at 946-7461 or bfrank@altoonamirror.com.
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