The Bishop Ireton Lady Cardinals currently weigh in with an overall record of 9-13 (1-9 in conference play).

Marty Goodhart (third season) coaches the Cardinals. In Goodhart's first two seasons the Cardinals won a combined 30 games - far and away more victories in a two-year span than ever before in Cardinal basketball history (12 total seasons). This season, the 9-13 record is somewhat deceptive.

"The girls realize how vastly improved the league is this season," Goodhart said. "I am not sure of the exact extent as to which the other teams actively recruited (in the off season) - but it is amazing how difficult this league is." Most observers generally rank the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference as either the first or second most difficult league in the entire metropolitan area.

As a case in point, three WCAC teams have consistently been in the Washington Post top 10 rankings all season — McNamara, Elizabeth Seton and St. John's. The McNamara Mustangs are currently ranked first in the entire region. Four of the Lady Cardinal losses this season have been at the hands of these three teams.

In other words, Ireton's record is a respectable 9-9 if you exclude the Mustangs, Roadrunners and Cadets.

Three other Cardinal losses (two to Holy Cross and one to Carroll) are to two other teams that have improved dramatically since last season.

In non-league games exclusively, Ireton weighs in at 8-4. The Good Counsel win (Jan. 20) was the Lady Cardinals lone conference victory this season.

As of Jan. 28, the Cardinals had dropped a road game to Paul VI and were defeated at home by Bishop O'Connell. The Panthers and Knights will be featured over the next few weeks.

Despite graduating one senior from last year's squad, only seven returning lettermen are on the Ireton roster this season: seniors Laura Kaye, Bobbie Stewart and Alysa Regen (all captains).

"Our three captains have done a real good job leading the team," Goodhart said. "They have also done a good job keeping the perspective of the younger players on a high level. They all realize this is such a tough league to play in."