BY JEFF FALK
ASSUMPTION HILL – They are the cavalry, riding in on the their white horses to save the day.
They are a present-day bridge linking the program’s glorious past with a now more certain future.
They are, dare we say, a God-send.
They are also freshmen, eight in number.
The Lebanon Catholic School’s Class of 2018 is one of the biggest in the history of the Beaver girls’ basketball program, and their arrival on the varsity scene couldn’t be better timed. For this group of ninth graders has come at a time when they have never been needed more.
Lebanon Catholic is coming off a 2013-14 campaign which was the worst in Patti Hower’s 37-year tenure as the head coach. With just six eligible players, the Beavers struggled – successfully – to avoid forfeits, and ultimately to a 4-18 overall record.
It marked the first time that a Hower-coached team didn’t qualify for the District Three Class A playoffs.
But hope is on the horizon in the form of eight fresh-faced, enthusiastic, wet-behind-the-ears freshmen. And while freshmen will be freshmen, it appears that it’s just a matter of time until Lebanon Catholic returns to District Three prominence.
“I don’t want to put a lot of pressure on them,” said Hower. “I don’t want to give them too much too soon. It’s a nice mix. They all have something they can add. Neesha Pierre is so athletic and long, and we can use that in so many ways. I’m anxious to see how we do.
“They’ve definitely rejuvenated my coaching,” Hower continued. “There’s a lot more teaching going on, and I like that part of it. It’s a nice group of girls to work with. I like coming to practice because of their attitude. I really enjoy this group. If this group of freshmen wasn’t so easy to work with, my career might be coming to a close. But I want to see this group through.”
Freshmen represent eight of the 11 players on Lebanon Catholic’s roster, and consider this: 11 of the 30 girls in the ninth-to-12th grade who attend LCS play basketball. This year’s freshman class will also allow the Beavers to play a JV schedule this season.
“And if you look below in the younger grades, there’s some good players coming up,” said Hower. “But this is our biggest class. I see that they have a future. I know it’s going to take some time. But we want to win for (seniors) Hayley (Witmer) and Monica (Pastal). We owe them our best shot. I don’t want to get to that point (of putting pressure on the freshmen). You can tell they’re freshmen. I think we can compete with everyone in our section, besides Lancaster Catholic.
“You don’t know how they’re going to do,” added Hower. “You see the potential. But if they don’t work at it, they won’t realize that potential. We want to do it correctly, from Day One. They have shown improvement. But now is when we want to correct things.”
Pierre appears to be at the head of Catholic’s freshmen class, but guard Mariah Sholly, guard Hannah Callihan, forward Celine Mars, forward Alaina Kline, forward Faith Kostoow, guard Mary Harding and guard Gabby Andrews don’t appear to be too far behind. When everything is said and done, this group could evolve into a versatile, flexible and balanced force.
“Obviously, skill-wise they’re really raw,” said Hower. “They need to refine their skills. They need to learn the game – when to dribble, when to shoot, when to pass – those types of things.
“I like the fact that they are young, enthusiastic and eager to learn,” Hower continued. “There’s a lot of teaching going on. But I like their approach and intensity. It’s going to take some time, but we also want to win for the seniors. It’s a nice group. There’s some nice balance.”
While Hower and her staff will provide guidance and support from the bench, seniors Witmer and M. Pastal will show the way on the court. Witmer will be competing in a scholastic sport for the first time in a year, after having her eligibility revoked by the PIAA, and indirectly because of the Elco school district.
“The way she handled last year, I admire her tremendously,” said Hower of Witmer. “I admire her character. She was so positive. I can’t give her enough credit. I think that’s the reason we’re all excited for the season as well. I’m glad she’s going to get the opportunity to play for Lebanon Catholic.
“I was proud of last year’s group,” added Hower. “Their legacy to Lebanon Catholic girls’ basketball was that they allowed the program to survive. They worked hard, no matter what the outcome was. Looking back, if we could’ve won one more game, we would’ve done all right in districts. But only two of them played last year, so there’s really no carry-over.”
Providing depth off the Beaver bench will be sophomore guard Leah Pastal. That depth will be vital if Lebanon Catholic is to return to its trademark pressing, trapping, full court game.
“We have to stay away from sickness and injuries,” said Hower. “I have a solid five, but depth isn’t really there yet. We want to run, we want to press, but I don’t have a lot of depth. I’m trying to get that first group really ready, but I know I’ve got to get that second group ready too. It’s a very intelligent group of girls and they’re picking things up quickly.”
LEBANON CATHOLIC CAREER SCORING LEADERS
PLAYER YR.GRAD. POINTS
1. Becky Hower 2001 2445
2. Catherine Andrews 2004 1670
3. Abby Minder 1995 1587
4. Hailey Carangelo 2010 1546
5. Lauren Boyer 2005 1544
6. Joni Brown 1991 1417
7. Jaime Podjed 2000 1346
8. Sarah Wade 1995 1248
9. Ann-Marie Fick 1985 1147
10. Lauren Fortna 2003 1065
11. Jenna Uhrich 2000 1062
12. Stevie Fortna 2012 1044
13. Sam Carangelo 2008 1002
14. Shannon Brandt 1989 953
15. Iris Heilman 1992 946
15. AmyJo Rushanan 1992 946
16. Maggie McDonnell 1982 897
17. Alicia Barlet 1981 880
18. Shirlene Hains 1989 868
19. Emily Minder 1992 865
20. Marie Schlegel 1996 847
21. Vickie Fick 1988 841
22. Tina Litz 1994 816
23. Ashley Bozzo 2001 809
24. Myra Kline 1982 787
25. MaryAnn Nugent 1985 774
26. Abby Shay 2013 736
27. Helene Reist 2014 705
28. Rose Mohl 1981 699
29. Kate Pastal 2012 687
30. Steph Batz 1995 681
31. Heather Toomey 1988 671
32. Leslie Brandt 1998 647
33. Anna Wengert 2008 645
34. Angie Savant 1990 630
35. Katie Parise 1996 549
36. Rachel Kleinfelter 2011 538
37. Lindsey Fortna 2001 521
38. Kelsey Boehmer 2009 508
SINGLE GAME RECORDS
Most points scored in a game by L.C. — 106 vs. PequeaValley (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 14 vs. Lancaster Christian (1998-1999)
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)
Total Rebounds — Myra Kline 402 (1980-1981)
Steals — Becky Hower 153 (1998-1999)
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)
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
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 — 35.0 (2013-2014)
Opp. lowest aveage 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 — 118 (2000-2001)
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)
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 — 16
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
PIAA Class A State Championships — 2
1991-1992, 1994-1995
Eastern Semi-Finals (1980-1981, 1984-1985, 1988-1989, 1995-1996, 2000-2001, 2001-2002)
Eastern Finals (1993-1994, 1999-2000, 2002-2003)
State Champion (1991-1992, 1994-1995)