Bishop Ireton's Pete Hamer recently retired as head boys basketball coach after eight distinguished seasons. Hamer and the Cardinals won the 1998 Virginia Independent Schools Division I Basketball Title and he was the only coach in Ireton history to register a win versus DeMatha (2003).

Hamer will be replaced next season by Chuck Driesell, son of legendary Maryland coach "Lefty" Driesell.

The younger Driesell graduated from Springbrook H.S. (Md.) in the mid—1980s and played for Maryland under his father. Since leaving College Park, Driesell served on his father's staff at James Madison University. He then was head coach at Marymount University in Arlington for a number of seasons and most recently was on Craig Escherik’s staff at Georgetown University.

"We will emphasize defense. There is very good potential here at Ireton. One thing that I learned from my father was the benefit of hard work," said Driesell.

A few of the notable players returning next season include rising seniors Daeshawn Branch, Buddy Buckner and Chad Wilson, as well as underclassman Chris McFarland.

Local Spring All—Met Selections

A number of diocesan athletes were selected to various Washington Post All—Met teams.

Baseball: (honorable mention) — O'Connell's Kevin Crum and Kevin Zdancewicz.

Softball: (first—team) — O'Connell's Cara L'Etoile; (honorable mention) — O'Connell's Erin Marrone, Ireton's Beth Dalmut and Paul VI's Amanda Whalen.

Boys Lacrosse: (honorable mention) — O'Connell's Ricardo Vargas and Paul VI's Mike Aldonas.

Girls Lacrosse: (honorable mention) — Ireton's Kari Morrison.

Boys Golf: (honorable mention) — Ireton's Jeff Henry and Paul VI's Justin Wingo.

Girls Rowing: (first—team) — O'Connell's Katy Higgins; (honorable mention) — O'Connell's Jessica Sigalas.

WCAC Baseball Honors

Twenty-four diocesan athletes received WCAC baseball honors:: (first—team)— O'Connell's Kevin Crum and Kevin Zdancewicz; Paul VI's T.J. Guinan;(second—team) — O'Connell's Matt Walls and Jon Weisloe; Paul VI's Will Naylor and Ryne Bromley; Ireton's Jamie Cowan; (third—team) — Paul VI's Mike Geraghty, Alex Gregory, Scott Eastment, Jeff Manthe and J.T. Polcari; (honorable mention) — O'Connell's Kevin Sieve, Byron Myers, Jared Laxton and Rob Glorioso; Paul VI's Rob Lamas, J.T. Richardson and Jose Herera; Ireton's Billy Robbett, Tim Sprague, Roland Haskins and Matt Boucher.

WCAC Softball Honors

Twenty-three diocesan athletes received WCAC softball honors:(first—team) — O'Connell's Cara L'Etoile, Erin Marrone, Trish Sexauer and Katie Nutaitis; Ireton's Beth Dalmut, Kayla Kelleher and Chrissy Sborz; Paul VI's Amanda Whalen and Karina Lopez; (second—team) — O'Connell's Kelley Engman and Chelsea Logan; Ireton's Ellen Horen and Gina Cogliano; Paul VI's Katie Evans; (honorable mention) — O'Connell's Katie Yohe, Kerri Spaulding, Toni Roubin and Lauren Fay; Ireton's Elisa Lopez; Paul VI's Jenny Reager, Maggie Prisinzano, Allie Woo and Jackie Rodgers.