By David Steinbacher
Special to the Herald
(From the issue of 12/25/03)

The O’Connell Lady Knights have won two of their past three games to weigh-in at 3-4 on the current basketball season. The "Royal Blue and Silver," coached by Fran Vitt (fourth season), have defeated both Sidwell Friends (56-37) and J.E.B. Stuart (60-21) since Dec. 16. Earlier in the season, O’Connell defeated Montrose Christian (64-40) in the first round of the Bullis Tournament. The Knights four narrow losses were to: Georgetown Visitation, Good Counsel, St. Johns Prospect Hall and Wilson.

With one home game derailed by a snow storm, all of the Knights games thus far have been on the road.

"We’ve had some injuries, we’ve had some girls out sick and we also had a couple of players transfer to public schools. Last season’s leading scorer, junior Shannon Ambrose, only practiced for the first time two days before the opening game of the season," said coach Vitt.

With senior post/captain Rylan Chesley injured, the typical starting lineup includes: Ambrose at point guard, sophomore Jackie Tinsley at shooting guard, junior Katie Yohe at wing guard, sophomore Kelly Hogan at forward and junior Anna LaMonica at post.

"Rylan is a terrific rebounder," Vitt said. "She adds a lot of class and a real business attitude toward this basketball team with her basketball sense. She’s been injured these past number of games, but she is the first player to congratulate the girls as they come off of the court. I hope to have her back in January. Depending on whether we go with size or speed determines whether senior Kristina D’Ambrosio is in the starting lineup at a guard position.

"But as I keep telling the girls, it matters more who is on the floor as the game progresses than it matters who starts."

Key reserves include six juniors Mary Jo Bean, Cassidy Burton, Darcy Fitzpatrick, Clare Flach, Alexis Franklin and Lisa Guerra, who is currently injured.

Thus the ’03/’04 Knights are "junior-heavy." Nine players are members of the class of ’05; two players are class of ’04 and two players are class of ’06.

In addition to Chesley, Ambrose is the Knights other captain.

"Shannon is not only a scorer, but is a real team leader," Vitt said. "Off the court, she gets things organized. On the court, she gets her teammates the ball — when she’s not taking the shot. She’s a real nice player to have on your team, as opposed to having to play against her."

Leading the O’Connell scoring parade for the season thus far are: Ambrose (79); Tinsley (79); Hogan (43); LaMonica (39); Yohe (38); D’Ambrosio (36); and Burton (35).

"The scoring has been very balanced. It has been spread around real nicely," Vitt said. "We’re averaging 57 points per contest. All 11 of our healthy players scored in the game versus J.E.B. Stuart."

O’Connell will compete in the WCAC South along with national power McNamara and local power Paul VI , as well as compete against Ireton and St. Mary’s Ryken. They will play home-away against these four teams, and will play one game apiece against Good Counsel, Holy Cross, Seton in Maryland, Carroll and St. Johns, members of the WCAC North.

"Our offense is starting to perk. To compete for the WCAC South Title, we’re going to have to play our best basketball," said Vitt. "We’ve got the talent to have a very good season. The girls are upbeat. The chemistry is good. Once we get everyone on the same page, we’ll be okay. One good note is that we have cut down on our turnovers in these past three games. When we get Rylan back, we’ll be that much better."

O’Connell will remain on the road for the remainder of 2003. The Knights are scheduled to play in the Westfield High School "Bulldog Bash" against Flint Hill (Dec. 26); Robinson (Dec. 27); Osbourn Park (Dec. 29); and a team yet to be announced (Dec. 30).

In Vitt’s three seasons O’Connell defeated St. Gertrudes, Richmond, for the 2001 Virginia Independent Schools State Championship. In both ’02 and ’03, the Knights lost in the V.I.S. semi-finals to eventual State Champion Paul VI.

Wasthington Post All-Mets

A number of diocesan athletes were selected Washington Post All-Mets for their fall accomplishments:

O’Connell Girls’ Soccer, coached by Alberto Starace: senior midfielder Nataly Arias, player of the

year and first-team; junior midfielder Mick Imgram, first-team; junior striker L.B. Puglisi, second-team; junior defender Lauren Kelly, second-team; junior defender Amanda Dabbenigno, honorable mention.

Paul VI Girls’ Soccer, coached by Meg Ashley: senior goalkeeper Stephanie Marcellin, honorable mention and senior midfielder Lindsay Curtain, honorable mention.

Paul VI Boys’ Soccer, coached by Enzo Aldunate: senior striker Mike O’Donnell, honorable mention

O’Connell Football, coached by Steve Trimble: senior wide receiver Jeremy Trimble, first-team and senior quarterback Bush Hamdan, honorable mention.

Ireton Boys’ Cross Country coached by Rich McCoppin: junior Matt Gordon.