WOMEN'S VARSITY

Backs to the Wall

Come playoff time, it’s “win or go home.” As first-year coach Rich Desiderio told his team playing Hastings in the second round of the Class B tourney, the next day they would either find themselves at practice or turning in their uniforms. With the leadership and perseverance of its seven seniors, the 2006 girls’ varsity basketball team kept showing up for practice. “We just kept hanging tough,” Desiderio said.

Though the team came to be known for its tenacity and fast-paced offense, the season started far less quickly, even for its coach. Desiderio wasn’t brought on board until late October, giving the coach little time to assess the program and get a vibe on this team before the season began.

This lack of familiarity led to a slow start and the girls very quickly found themselves at 5-9 with the prospect of turning in their jerseys at the end of the regular season a very real possibility. “Our backs were completely, completely against the wall,” Desiderio said.

But the Gaels fought back. Suddenly the season’s first win streak reached seven and Kennedy was back in the playoffs. Behind the strong play of All-State senior guard Justine Gray, who received honorable mention for the North County News’ Female Athlete of the Year distinction, the blue and white would reel off another two victories to make it to the County Center before falling to top-ranked Pelham.

Though the Gaels will be without departing seniors Joanna and Laura Cloherty, Jaime Ferraro, Justine Gray, Maureen McAvoy, Shane Pais and Michelle Smyth (who was the section’s top three-point shooter for most of the season), Desiderio looks to a solid young nucleus that will embrace the merits of a good, tough defense and aggressive offense that pushes the ball. Already a number of players, including incoming freshmen, are involved in offseason workouts and summer league games.

“That just doesn’t happen,” the coach said of his team’s magical run to the County Center.

But seven seniors and a singular purpose made it so in 2006.

Coaching Staff:
Mr. Rich Desiderio, Head Coach

Captains:
Justine Gray ’06
Shane Pais ’06
Michelle Smyth ’06

All-League:
Justine Gray ‘06
Shane Pais ‘06
Michelle Smyth ’06

All-Section:
Justine Gray ‘06
Michelle Smyth ’06 (Honorable Mention)

League MVP/All-State:
Justine Gray ’06