Coming off their third consecutive title, the Lady Friars hope to uphold their reputation in the Catholic league and make a trip back to the CHSAA finals. Senior Synclair Taylor, sister of Sydney Taylor ‘19 St. Anthony’s leading point scorer last season who went on to play at UMASS Amherst, along with captain Kayli Parham and seniors Robyn Kelly, Kassidy Clarke and Julissa Martinez- France, hope to lead the Lady Friars to another league and even a state title. With the Friars ending their 2018 season 16-10 the hope is to limit this years losses and gain another title for the Friar Nation.
Third year Head Coach Hugh Flattery, has led the Friars to two League Championships and two state finals. With anchor Taylor carrying the Friars through a winning season last year, coach is hoping she will embody the tradition of leadership. With a very young team, including sophomore Colleen McCullagh, who started as a freshman on varsity last year, Coach Flattery is hoping that a young and passionate team will be the key to this seasons’ success.
Mid season the girls will face the defending CHSAA State Champions Christ The King who defeated the Friars last February in the state semi playoff game. The Friars schedule has them encounter multiple private and public schools to gain experience at all levels of play. Coach Hugh Flattery states, “If we want to make it to states we will have to work hard to be ready for tough teams.” The Friars add two freshmen, forward/guard Maria Chiariello and guard Kathryn Licciardi to varsity that will help defend their league title. With key returners, guard/forwards Taylor, Kelly, Gianna Santacroce, center/forward Kassidy Clarke, G/F McCullagh, and guard Katie Smythe they plan to lead the lady friars to a fourth straight consecutive league championship.
The league being the strongest they’ll face in years due to an immense amount of returning starters, the Friars will have a tough road ahead of them. When asked who they thought would be a tough competitor for the team this season Junior, Giannah Rivera responded, “Christ the King due to their height advantage and their experience as a higher level team.”
The girls have already been training and participating in pre season games to prepare for this year’s challenge. The friars are now ready to tip-off for their exciting season. When asked, what are their expectations for the team this season? Senior Kelly answered, “Our goal is to be as successful as possible and gain the fourth consecutive championship in a row. They are very proud to represent an elite program offered by Saint Anthony’s. This year’s team journey will be one to watch on their way to another CHSAA title.
Good luck to the Lady Friars who hope to have another title for Friar Nation.
Gabrielle Miller is a sophomore at St. Anthony’s High School, this is her first year at Friar Scoreboard. She is also a returning captain of the girls JVA basketball team and hopes to study journalism in the future. Her goal; to reach the hearts of as many people through the power of words
