Serve God, treat others fairly, work hard and do the right things, and the rest will take care of itself. If you strive to live your life right, goals become blessings.
Patti Hower didn’t pursue wins or championships or accolades. They pursued her.
Patti Hower is not a legend, she’s a person. An ordinary human being, who had extraordinary things happen in her life. So why her? And not you or me?
Because she always stayed true to herself, her beliefs and Lebanon Catholic School.
“When people call me a ‘legend’, it does kind of make me chuckle,” said Hower. “I think people associate ‘legend’ with the length of time I’ve been doing it. I can walk away knowing I gave it my all. Some of these people who have played for me now have kids who I’m coaching, and sometimes they think I’m a legend because I’ve been there so long.
“I’m just me, no matter what,” continued Hower. “I’m me at school. I’m me at home. I don’t know if there’s a drastic difference from the public person and the private person. I am who I am, whether it’s coaching or at home.”
No one should have a career ended the way Hower had her’s ended – much less a legend’s. Hower’s 42-year career as the head girls’ basketball coach at Lebanon Catholic was cut short when her school was abruptly closed.
On Tuesday, April 28, Hower learned that Lebanon Catholic was being closed by the diocese of Harrisburg due to finanical and enrollment concerns. In addition to her role as the Beavers’ head basketball coach, Hower was also a teacher on Assumption Hill for 46 years, as well as an LC alum.
“It was a total surprise,” said Hower, 68. “We were blind-sided by it. You feel numb. As you kind of process it, I reached out to my players and we talked. That’s my life. That’s my family. We all attended Lebanon Catholic.
“It just happened in a cold and insensitive way,” added Hower. “We left March 13th (closed because of the Coronavirus) and we got the news we were never going to return. I’m still in shock from it, but we’re moving in a direction that we hope will save our school. I haven’t totally put it out of my mind. We’re hoping and praying.”
Hower, with Blue and White coursing through her veins, reitereated that she would not consider coaching anywhere else. Once a Beaver, always a Beaver.
“No, my heart has always been with Lebanon Catholic,” said Hower. “At this point of my career, I wouldn’t go anywhere else. Me moving on isn’t an option. I’ll be retiring from coaching and teaching.
“I really enjoyed working with our players,” Hower continued. “All of our players were great to work with. You enjoy watching them listen and watching them improve. They were just great kids to be around. I always felt they respected me, and then you want to continue doing it. It made me feel good.”
And perhaps just a little bit, being around high school players kept Hower feeling young.
Hower had been passively thinking about what retirement might look like the past couple of seasons. But she always had a difficult time envisioning exactly what it would entail or exactly what she would do.
“I knew it was sometime in the near future,” said Hower. “But it wasn’t going to be the end of this year. I didn’t have time to get mentally prepared. I still loved going to school and practice. It was a year-to-year thing.
“That’s (what retirement might look like) always been part of my thoughts,” Hower added. “We’ve always been so active for so many years. I’ll just have to keep myself busy. I’m still healthy and I still feel I can do a good job. I’ve been at home for almost two months (due to the coronavirus), and I didn’t realize how much time I put into basketball. You don’t miss all that down-time.”
In many ways, Hower’s final season as a head coach was very indicative of her career.
No, the 12-14 Beavers didn’t come close to winning a state championship or even a district championship. But Lebanon Catholic showed marked improvement as a team from Day One – a trait Hower cherishes as much, or more, than a banner.
“I felt we were improving,” said Hower. “I’m looking at it over the span of a two-year period. They (her players) were really buying into what we were doing. I felt that, as a team, we were heading in the right direction. I looked at it like we were getting better.
“It was rewarding because we were going in the right direction,” continued Hower. “The kids’ attitudes were great. What we were doing this year was building for next year.”
Hower the coach was a fiery competitor, a stickler for fundamentals and details, and a propent of team work. Hower the person is moral, humble and family-oriented. She also possessed a great ability to blur the lines between the two.
It probably should be mentioned somehwere in here that Hower, with unwavering right-hand man Mike Mohl at her side, won more games – career record of 756-396 – than any coach in the history of Lebanon County scholastic sports, her teams won more championships- 20 -than any team in the history of the District Three basketball playoffs and that few local coaches have won more state championships – 1991-92, 1994-95, 2016-17. There’s that darn ‘legend’ word again.
“Lebanon Catholic means everything to me,” said Hower. “(Husband) Lonnie has a piece of my heart, but my family and Lebanon Catholic has the rest of it. Lebanon Catholic is my family. I coached my daughter (Becky) and my grand-daughters are there. Lebanon Catholic has almost 100 percent of my heart.
“I would hope so (that the girls’ basketball program helped promote the school over the years),” added Hower. “I would hope that Lebanon Catholic got nothing but positive publicity out of the girls’ basketball program. Sometimes when people think of Lebanon Catholic, they think of the girls’ basketball program.”
Like any local scholastic basketball program, the Beavers under Hower experienced just as many lean years as they did banner seasons. Through those experiences, Hower became adept at accentuating the positives and treating the challenges as learning experiences.
“As far as highlights go, my years coaching Becky were up there,” said Hower. “The state championships are up there. The 20 district championships were special. Even the year we had only six players was special. They’re all important. They’re all good.
“We’re not only coaching them (her players) in basketball, we’re coaching them in life,” Hower added. “We pray. I hope they get more out of it than just basketball skills. I hope they were better people when they left our program. Things like sportsmanship and time management, I hope will make them better people. One of the things that made me stay in coaching was the people our (former) players have become.”
Initially a JV coach in the early 1970s, Hower took over for Peg Ross as Lebanon Catholic’s head coach in 1978. Although she witnessed a great many changes in the sport of girls’ basketball during her time, Hower also helped institute some herself.
“Girls’ basketball has changed over the years,” said Hower. “Back then, we played at four o’clock. Then it evolved into the equality thing. I’ve really seen girls’ basketball progress. The level of play has evolved tremendously. It (the beginning) seems like a long, long time ago. I’ve witnessed the changes that came along.
“I don’t think I could’ve ever processed that (a 42-year-career, at that time), when you’re 24-25-26” Hower continued. “It is a long time. But it doesn’t seem that long ago. Each year is a special group. And all of a sudden, it’s 42 years.”
But for as much as Hower has influenced Lebanon County girls’ basketball, it has also influenced her.
“I just wish we were doing this article under different circumstances,” said Hower. “Retiring should be a happy occasion, not a sad one. I’m just thankful for all the years I had. I’m thankful for all the players I had. It made for a great life.”
From a personal standpoint, this reporter has been covering Hower-coached Lebanon Catholic teams for the better part of 30 years. I have always tried to maintain a business-like rapport with all county coaches, across every sport.
But over those years, I have developed a personal relationship with Hower, one based on honesty, fairness and mutual respect. I am proud to call Patti Hower a friend – not the coach, but the person.
“I’ve always appreciated your coverage,” said Hower. “Just the way you wrote your articles, and I can have a great conversation with you because of that. We’ve developed a trust for each other.
“As a coach, I always tried to be honest,” added Hower. “I would have never said, ‘Oh, I’m not going to talk to that guy’. You’re doing your job. That’s the way it is.”
And she always had the last word.
Lebanon Catholic Girls’ Basketball History
revised 4/2020
YEAR WON LOST
1978-1979 13 6 Lost 2nd round Districts (Fleetwood)
1979-1980 17 10 District Class A Champions (Brandywine)
Lost 2nd round States (Pine Grove)
1980-1981 27 4 Lanc.-Leb. Section 1 Champions
Lanc.-Leb. League Champions (Donegal)
District 2nd Place (Camp Hill)
Lost State Eastern Semi-Finals (Wyomissing)
1981-1982 19 9 Lanc.Leb. Section 3 Champions
District 3rd Place (Camp Hill)
Lost 1st round States (Archbishop Kennedy)
1982-1983 13 13 Lost 2nd round Districts (Trinity)
1983-1984 18 13 Lost 2nd round Districts (Biglerville)
1984-1985 24 7 Lanc.-Leb. Section 3 Champions (14-0)
Lanc. Leb. League Runnerup (Manheim Twp)
District 3rd Place (Camp Hill)
Lost State Eastern Semi-Finals (Benton)
1985-1986 11 15 District 4th Place (Columbia)
Lost 1st round States (Elkland)
1986-1987 14 12 Tied for Section 3 Championship (lost in playoff) (Annville)
Lost 1st round Districts (Mt. Penn)
1987-1988 14 11 Lost 1st round Districts (Mt. Penn)
1988-1989 20 10 District Class A Champions (Greenwood)
Lost State Eastern Semi-Final (Mahoney)
1989-1990 13 12 Lost 1st round Districts (East Juniata)
1990-1991 22 7 Tied for 1st Place Section 3 (lost in playoff) (Lanc.Mennonite)
District 2nd Place (Millersburg)
Lost 2nd round States (Bristol)
revised 4/2020
1991-1992 26 4 Lanc.-Leb. Section 3 Champions (13-1)
Lost in League Semi-Finals (Lancaster Catholic)
District Class A Champion (Millersburg)
PIAA Class A State Champion (Clarion)
1992-1993 25 2 Lanc.-Leb. Section Champions (14-0)
Undefeated Regular Season (21-0)
Lost in League Semi-Finals (Lancaster Catholic)
District Class A Champions (Greenwood)
Lost in 2nd round States (Forest City)
1993-1994 26 3 Lanc.-Leb. Section 3 Champions (14-0)
Lost in League Semi-Finals (Lancaster Catholic)
District Class A Champions (Mt. Calvary)
Lost in Eastern Final (Lourdes)
1994-1995 28 2 Lanc.-Leb. Section 3 Champions (13-1)
Lost in League Semi-Finals (Columbia)
District Class A Champions (Greenwood)
PIAA Class A State Champions (Williamsburg)
1995-1996 20 7 Lanc.-Leb. Section 3rd place (10-4)
District Class A Champions (Lancaster Christian)
Lost in State Eastern Semi-Finals (Mahoney City)
1996-1997 10 14 Lost in first round of Districts (Holy Name)
1997-1998 14 14 District Class A 2nd Place (Holy Name)
Lost in first round of States (Nativity)
1998-1999 23 5 Lanc.-Leb. Section 3 2nd Place (11 -3)
District 3 Class A Champion (Lancaster Country Day)
Lost in second round of States (Marian)
1999-2000 27 6 Lanc.-Leb Section 3 2nd Place (12-2)
Lanc.-Leb. League Runnerup (Lancaster Catholic)
District 3 Class A Champion (Greenwood)
Lost in State Tournament Eastern Final (Nativity)
2000-2001 19 11 Lanc.-Leb Section 3 3rd Place (10-4)
District 3 Class A Champion (Greenwood)
Lost in State Tournament Eastern Semi-Final (Lourdes)
2001-2002 23 8 Lanc-Leb Section 3 2nd Place (12 – 2)
District 3 Class A Champion (Greenwood)
Lost in State Tournament Eastern Semi-Final (Marian)
Revised 4/2020
YEAR WON LOST
2002 – 2003 23 7 Lanc-Leb Section 3 3rd Place (10 – 4)
District 3 Class A Champion (Greenwood)
Lost in State Tournament Eastern Final (Marian OT)
2003 – 2004 25 5 Lanc-Leb Section 3 2nd Place (12 – 2)
Lanc-Leb Playoffs 1 – 1 (Cedar Crest)
District 3 Class A Champion (Antietam)
Lost in State Tournament 2nd Round (Marian)
2004 – 2005 16 9 Lanc.-Leb Section 4 2nd Place (12 – 4)
Lanc.-Leb League Playoffs 0 – 1 (Hempfield)
Lost in first round Districts (Reading Central)
2005 – 2006 6 19 Lanc.-Leb. Section 4 3rd Place (5 – 11)
Lost in second round of Districts 1 – 1 (Living Word)
2006 – 2007 15 15 Lanc.-Leb Section 4 2nd Place (10 – 6)
Lanc.-Leb Playoffs 0 – 1 (Cedar Crest)
District 3 Class A Champion (Lancaster Country Day)
Lost in State Tournament 2nd Round (Marian)
2007 – 2008 15 14 Lanc.-Leb Section 4 3rd Place (9- 7)
District 3 Class A 2nd Place (Reading Central)
Lost in State Tournament 2nd Round (Bishop Guilfoyle)
2008 – 2009 17 9 Lanc.-Leb Section 4 3rd Place (10 – 6)
District 3 Class A Champion (Greenwood)
Lost in State Tournament 1st Round (Bishop Carroll)
2009 – 2010 16 7 Lanc.-Leb Section 4 3rd Place (11 – 5)
Lost in Second Round of Districts (Camp Hill)
2010 – 2011 13 11 Lanc.-Leb Section 4 3rd Place (9-7)
Lost in Second Round of Districts (Reading Central)
2011 – 2012 20 7 Lanc.-Leb Section 4 3rd Place (11-5)
District 3 Class A Champion (Steel High)
Lost in State Tournament 2nd Round (Old Forge)
2012 – 2013 12 11 Lanc-Leb Section 4 4th Place (7-9)
Lost in First Round of Districts (Halifax)
2013 – 2014 4 18 Lanc-Leb Section 4 6th Place (1-15)
Did not Qualify for Districts
2014 – 2015 17 10 Lanc-Leb Section 4 2nd Place (9-7)
District 3 Class A Champion (Halifax)
Lost in State Tournament 1st Round (Lourdes)
2015 – 2016 22 7 Lebanon Christmas Tournament First Place
Lanc-Leb Section 4 2nd Place (11-5)
League Playoffs 1 -1
Districr 3 Class A Champion (Halifax)
Lost in State Tournament 3rd Round (Lourdes)
2016 – 2017 25 7 Lebanon Catholic Christmas Tournament 2nd Place
Lanc-Leb Section 3 3rd Place (11-3)
League Playoffs 1 -1 (beat Cocalico, lost Cedar Crest)
Districr 3 Class A Champion (Halifax)
PIAA Class A State Champion (Juniata Valley)
2017 – 2018 25 7 Lebanon Catholic Christmas Tournament 1st Place
Lanc-Leb Section 4 2nd Place (11-3)
League Playoffs 2 -1
(beat Manheim Twp, Lampeter-Strasburg)
Lancaster-Lebanon Championship lost to Lancaster Catholic
Districr 3 Class A Champion (Linden Hall)
PIAA State Tournament Eastern Final lost to Jenkintown
2018 – 2019 7 16 Lebanon Catholic Christmas Tournament 2nd Place
Lanc-Leb Section 5 6th Place (0 -10)
Lost First Round Districts (New Covenant)
2019 2020 12 14 Lebanon Catholic Christmas Tournament 2nd Place
Lanc-Leb Section 5 3rd Place (3 – 7)
Lost District Semi-Final (Lancaster Country Day)
Lost First Round State Tournament (Bishop Carroll)
42 YEARS 756 396 . 656 revised 4/2020
DISTRICT PLAYOFF RECORD STATE PLAYOFF RECORD revised 4/2020
YEAR WON LOST WON LOST
1978-1979 1 1 did not participate
1979-1980 4 0 1 1
1980-1981 2 1 2 1
1981-1982 2 1 0 1
1982-1983 1 1 did not participate
1983-1984 1 1 did not participate
1984-1985 3 1 2 1
1985-1986 1 2 0 1
1986-1987 0 1 did not participate
1987-1988 0 1 did not participate
1988-1989 2 0 2 1
1989-1990 0 1 did not participate
1990-1991 2 1 1 1
1991-1992 2 0 5 0 STATE CHAMPIONS
1992-1993 2 0 1 1
1993-1994 2 0 3 1 EASTERN FINALS
1994-1995 2 0 5 0 STATE CHAMPIONS
1995-1996 2 0 2 1
1996-1997 0 1 did not participate
1997-1998 3 1 0 1
1998-1999 3 0 1 1
1999-2000 3 0 3 1 EASTERN FINAL
DISTRICT PLAYOFF RECORD STATE PLAYOFF RECORD
YEAR WON LOST WON LOST
2000-2001 3 0 2 1
2001-2002 3 0 2 1
2002-2003 3 0 3 1 EASTERN FINALS
2003-2004 3 0 1 1
2004 – 2005 0 1 did not participate
2005 – 2006 1 1 did not participate
2006 – 2007 4 0 1 1
2007 – 2008 2 1 1 1
2008 – 2009 3 0 0 1
2009 – 2010 1 1 did not participate
2010 – 2011 1 1 did not participate
2011 – 2012 3 0 1 1
2012 – 2013 0 1 did not participate
2013 – 2014 did not participate did not participate
2014 – 2015 3 0 0 1
2015 – 2016 3 0 2 1
2016 – 2017 3 0 5 0 STATE CHAMPIONS
2017 – 2018 3 0 3 1 EASTERN FINALS
2018 – 2019 0 1 did not participate
2019 – 2020 1 2 0 1
41 years 78 23 28 years 49 25
revised 4/2020
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section Three Championships — 7
1980-1981 (Section 1), 1981-1982, 1984-1985, 1991-1992, 1992-1993, 1993-1994, 1994-1995
Lancaster-Lebanon League Championships — 1
1980-1981
PIAA District 3 Class A Championships — 20
1979-1980, 1988-1989, 1991-1992, 1992-1993, 1993-1994, 1994-1995, 1995-1996, 1998-1999
1999-2000, 2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2006 – 2007, 2008 – 2009, 2011-2012,
2014 – 2015, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018
PIAA Class A State Championships — 3
1991-1992, 1994-1995, 2016-2017
Eastern Semi-Finals (1980-1981, 1984-1985, 1988-1989, 1995-1996, 2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2015-2016)
Eastern Finals (1993-1994, 1999-2000, 2002-2003, 2017-2018)
State Champion (1991-1992, 1994-1995, 2016-2017)
revised 4/2020
LEBANON CATHOLIC CAREER SCORING LEADERS
PLAYER YR.GRAD. POINTS
1. Becky Hower 2001 2445
2. Alexis Hill 2018 1784
3. Catherine Andrews 2004 1670
4. Abby Minder 1995 1587
5. Hailey Carangelo 2010 1546
6. Lauren Boyer 2005 1544
7. Joni Brown 1991 1417
8. Jaime Podjed 2000 1346
9. Sarah Wade 1995 1248
10. Allison Warren 2016 1227
11. Neesha Pierre 2018 1203
12. Ann-Marie Fick 1985 1147
13. Lauren Fortna 2003 1065
14 Jenna Uhrich 2000 1062
15. Stevie Fortna 2012 1044
16. Sam Carangelo 2008 1002
17. Celine Mars 2018 965
18. Shannon Brandt 1989 953
19. Iris Heilman 1992 946
20. AmyJo Rushanan 1992 946
21. Taylor Bossert 2018 918
22. Maggie McDonnell 1982 897
23. Alicia Barlet 1981 880
24. Shirlene Hains 1989 868
25. Emily Minder 1992 865
26. Marie Schlegel 1996 847
27. Vickie Fick 1988 841
28. Tina Litz 1994 816
29. Ashley Bozzo 2001 809
30. Myra Kline 1982 787
31 Jasmine Turner 2018 783
32. MaryAnn Nugent 1985 774
33. Abby Shay 2013 736
34. Helene Reist 2014 705
35. Rose Mohl 1981 699
36. Kate Pastal 2012 687
37. Steph Batz 1995 681
38. Heather Toomey 1988 671
39. Leslie Brandt 1998 647
40. Anna Wengert 2008 645
41. Angie Savant 1990 630
42. Katie Parise 1996 549
43. Rachel Kleinfelter 2011 538
44. Lindsey Fortna 2001 521
45. Kelsey Boehmer 2009 508 Revised 4/2020
LEBANON CATHOLIC GIRLS BASKETBALL SCHOOL RECORDS
SINGLE GAME RECORDS
Most points scored in a game by L.C. — 106 vs. Pequea Valley (2000-2001)
Most points scored in a game by Opp. — 94 Allentown Central Catholic (1990-1991)
Fewest points scored in a game by L.C. — 9 vs. Columbia (1985-1986)
Fewest points scored in a game by Opp. — 11 Pequea Valley (1982-1983)
Most points in a game — Becky Hower 45 vs Donegal (2000-2001)
Most foul shots made in a game — Joni Brown 15 for 20 vs. McDevitt (1990-1991)
Lauren Boyer 15 for 19 vs. Lancaster Catholic (2004- 2005)
Most offensive rebounds in a game — Myra Kline 14 (1980-1981)
Most defensive rebounds in a game — Lisa Simpson 19 (1985-1986)
Most total rebounds in a game — Hailey Carangelo 22 (2007 – 2010)
Most assists in a game — Marie Schlegel 15 vs. Columbia (1994-1995)
Most steals in a game — Becky Hower 15 vs. Lancaster Christian (1998-1999)
Alexis Hill 15 vs Trinity (2016-2017)
Most 3 point shots made in a game — Becky Hower 7 (1999-2000)
SINGLE SEASON RECORDS
Offensive Rebounds — Myra Kline 191 (1980-1981)
Defensive Rebounds — Alicia Barlet 240 (1980-1981)
Alexis Hill 240 (2016-2017)
Total Rebounds — Myra Kline 402 (1980-1981)
Steals — Becky Hower 153 (1998-1999)
Alexis Hill 173 (2017-2018)
Assists — Marie Schlegel 221 (1994-1995)
Field Goals Made — Joni Brown 292 (1990-1991)
Free Throws Made — Joni Brown 125 (1990-1991)
Total Points — Becky Hower 731 (1999-2000)
Average — Joni Brown 24.6ppg. (1990-1991)
Free Throw % — Sam Carangelo 89% (2005-2006)
Field Goal % — Meghan Orr 57% (2007-2008)
3 Point Shots Made — Becky Hower 82 (2000-2001)
Revised 4/2020
CAREER RECORDS
Offensive Rebounds — Myra Kline 362
Defensive Rebounds — Becky Hower 709
Total Rebounds — Becky Hower 1017
Steals — Becky Hower 519
Assists — Marie Schlegel 766
Field Goals Made — Becky Hower 712
Free Throws Made — Abby Minder 343
Becky Hower 343
Alexis Hill 374
Total Points — Becky Hower 2445
Free Throw % — Sam Carangelo 77%
Field Goal % — Sarah Wade 50%
Becky Hower 50%
Average — Becky Hower 20.6
3 Point Shots Made — Becky Hower 226
TEAM RECORD SEASON TOTALS
L.C. highest average points per game — 66.2 (2000-2001)
Opp. highest average points per game — 58.0 (2005-2006)
L.C. lowest average points per game — 34.3 (2018-2019)
Opp. lowest average points per game — 37.5 (2009-2010)
Offensive Rebounds — 603 (1980-1981)
Defensive Rebounds — 825 (1980-1981)
Total Rebounds — 1428 (1980-1981)
Steals — 584 (2001-2002)
Assists — 596 (1980-1981)
Field Goals Made — 780 (1980-1981)
Free Throws Made — 384 (2001-2002)
Total Points — 2101 (1999-2000)
3 Point Shots Made — 134 (2017-2018)
Free Throw % — 69% (1993-1994)
Field Goal % — 46% (1990-1991) (2000-2001)
Consecutive Lanc.-Leb. League Section 3 Wins — 44 1/20/92 to 1/27/95
Consecutive Home Wins — 46 12/27/90 to 12/7/95
Longest Winning Streak — 29 2/20/92 to 2/25/93
Most Wins in a Season — 28-2 (l994-1995)
Fewest Wins in a Season — 3 (1975-1976)
Most Losses in a Season — 18 (2013-2014)
Fewest Losses in a Season — 2 (1992-1993, 1994-1995)
revised 4/2020
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