| St. Marks (20-5) |
Ursuline (17-8) |
| Lindsay Olson #4 So. 5'2" |
Sarah Boltz #10 Sr. 5'3" |
| Natalie Bizzaro #5 So. 5'6" |
Alexis Henderson #42 Sr.
5'11" |
| Michelle Albanese #11 Sr. 5'2" |
Eileen Webster #53 Sr.
5'11" |
| Erin Mahoney #15 So. 5'5" |
Katie McMahon #15 Jr. 5'6" |
| Kelly Papili #21 Sr. 5'10" |
Melissa Hoberg #10 Jr. 5'8" |
| Lyndsay Bey #22 Sr. 5'9" |
Kimberly Whalen #22 Jr.
5'7" |
| Sarah Sammons #23 Fr. 5'5" |
Courtnie Hurley #25 Jr.
5'8" |
| Kristen Sullivan #24 Jr.
5'10" |
Jenna Whalen #3 So. 5'2" |
| Lindsay Hageman #33 Sr.
5'6" |
Franny Carlin #4 So. 5'2" |
| Christine Armstrong #35 So.
5'6" |
Alicia Papa #23 So. 5'3" |
| Tracee Mosch #41 Sr. 5'7" |
Rachel Pawlikowski #33 So.
5'9" |
| Jenna Logan #43 Fr. 5'8" |
Kelly Mark #35 So. 5'9" |
| Andrew Hochstuhl #45 Fr. 5'10" |
Amy Morrison #43 So. 5'8" |
| |
Kate Mills #41 Fr. 5'11" |
| |
Sarah Williams #14 8 5'8" |
The defending state champion St. Marks Spartans look
to add another championship trophy to their stuffed showcase back at
home in Pike Creek.
Entering as the fourth seed and number two ranked team in
the state, the Spartans reached the final by beating Tower Hill, Padua,
and the number one seeded and ranked team Caravel.
The Spartans are healthy and playing a top level brand of
defense that was the key to victory against the Buccaneers.
Head Coach John Fiorelli has a variety of offensive
weapons at his disposal. His main gun is senior guard Michelle
Albanese the 5'2" player of the year in 2000. She is long range
threat, but is fearless and will take it to the rack if you give her
an inch. She is also the best ball handler in the state and will rob
you blind if you aren't paying attention when you're dribbling
downcourt.
Seniors Tracee Mosch and Lindsay Hageman are the other three
point threats for St. Marks. These two can shoot the lights out when
they are in a zone.
Forwards Kelly Papili, Kristen Sullivan and Christine Armstrong
share space in the front court. Sullivan's stress fracture in her back
forced her out of the lineup early in the year and the Spartans lost a
few of their games during that time. So one might think that her
health is critical against a Raider team that boasts three starters
that are 5'11". But Christine Armstrong is the unsung hero
underneath the boards. She is strong and aggressive, and will also
step back and shoot with the best of them herself.
The Ursuline Raiders are coached by Jeff Flanders. He has the
luxury of starting those near six-footers Alexis Henderson, Eileen
Webster and freshman Kate Mills.
Henderson is a clear first-team all-state player who is equally
skilled underneath the hoop as she is far away from it. She quietly
puts together her 20 points a game and provides leadership through
action.
Eileen Webster is the emotional leader of the team and a top
rebounder. She had a rough semifinal game against Caesar Rodney
though, missing all seven of her shot attempts for field goals.
It would be tempting to say that the Spartans could take
advantage of the inexperienced freshman Kate Mills, but it would
clearly be wrong to say. Mills played as an eight grader last year and
has already played the Spartans three times this year. In the semis,
her 20 points against Caravel was some proof that she will be a force
to come for quite some time and perhaps even give her older cousin
Kristin Mills' all-time scoring record a run.
The most important player on the Raiders this evening however
will be their feisty little guard Sarah Boltz. She will draw the task
of stopping Michelle Albanese. For 32 minutes this evening this senior
will have to draw from deep within to successfully complete this
mission. She is on the same defensive level as Albanese and is a
talented ball handler herself whose role on offense is to be the
playmaker. But don't leave her alone from outside the arc because
she'll drain a three if you do.
Spending the balance of the time on the floor are Rachel
Pawlikowski who spells the three forwards and Courtnie Hurley and
Kelly Mark who split the fifth spots time. These three will need to
stop Mosch and Hageman and pitch in wherever there is a hole that
needs to be plugged.
This is a game that could go either way this evening even
though the Spartans have won their last two meetings. Ursuline did win
the first game played against each other and this will be the fourth
time that they meet.
In last year's final Michelle Albanese only scored one
point and that was late in the game. She clearly does more on the
floor than score, but that can't happen tonight. If she isn't on top
of her game, this game belongs to the Raiders.
The Raiders have the edge in the front court, and the Spartans
have the edge in the backcourt. UA had a bit of a slump towards the
end of the year, but they are back on track and apparently ready for
yet another Catholic Conference showdown at the Bob Carpenter Center
tonight at 7 p.m. This game is too close to call and should be an
exciting one to spend a few dollars on to go and see. Get there early,
we will.
Marshal Manlove
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