The foundation for this year's girls basketball team at John Carroll was formed last summer when most of the players were part of a team that placed second in summer league action.
Their school team, mostly juniors and sophomores, had gone 4-16, but the basics were there and, with the addition of several newcomers during the summer, the group developed a positive attitude.
"It really helped," said junior Meaghan Giorno, starting point guard, of the summer experience. "Our skills improved and our outlook was better. We enjoyed it."
By last week, this enjoyment, coupled with the work of first-year coach Kathleen Shannon, had produced nearly double the number of victories of a year ago (7-12, 4-8), a good feeling going into this week's Catholic League tournament, and a bright outlook for the future.
Shannon, who came to John Carroll from Mercy, where she had directed a championship junior varsity program, had to put in an offense and a defense before concentrating on the blending of individual skills.
"I think the fact that someone cares about them has been a confidence booster. It builds spirit and that leads to playing better," she said.
Against Mercy last week (a 77-65 victory), the Patriots started two seniors (Heather Pyzik and Jessica Schrader), two juniors (Giorno and Amy Goetzinger) and sophomore Britney Whitehurst. All but Whitehurst, a sophomore transfer from Fallston, were on the team last year.
"Overall, their skills complement each other," Shannon said. "And Amy [quick, with excellent defensive skills] and Meaghan [good ballhandler and unselfish] have improved a great deal. Jessica, who did not play much last year, has also picked up her game."
The team's bright future centers on the fact only three seniors are on the 11-player roster, Pyzik, Schrader and Kira Sconion, a limited-duty player who is the team's "spirit" leader. Of the six sophomores and freshmen, two are among the top six players -- Whitehurst and freshman Jennifer Westervelt.
For Whitehurst, the basketball has been good physically (she averages 14 points and 12 rebounds) but tough mentally. She knew the program was not as strong as Fallston's, likes being a leader and thought she could be an influence, but as a newcomer felt it was not her place to play that role. Still, her play has rubbed off on her teammates.
"She's coachable, has intensity, and knows how to win," Shannon said of her 6-foot starter. The 5-11 Westervelt, with a recreation and AAU basketball background, got a delayed start because of a hip injury, but she has been a steady contributor of late.
Completing the group are sophomores Kate Blaney and Paige Lozoskie, and freshmen Alison Healey and Liz Pyzik. When Giorno missed a month with mononucleosis, it gave more playing time to the reserves, creating more substitution flexibility when she returned.
Although the team has had some "third-quarter blues," its overall play has improved. Speaking of Shannon, Goetzinger said, "She stresses fundamentals and gets us to utilize our skills." Giorno added, "And all our skills have improved tremendously."