GIRLS' BASKETBALL RECAP - FINAL

As the buzzer went off for the 2023-24 season at Charleroi, senior Mallory Daly played her final game as the leader of the Lady Rebels basketball team against Westmont Hilltop, losing 48-54. “As I played my last High School for Seton LaSalle Catholic High School, a lot of emotions were going around, relief, sadness, and happiness. We grew as a team and I know that they will grow even more next year. I’ll forever be grateful that I had the opportunity to play with these girls,” stated the senior. The Lady Rebels had an amazing season finishing with a record of 16-11 overall and 6-4 in conference play. 

The Rebels had a long season making it to the second round of both the WPIAL and PIAA State playoffs. Falling short to Beaver Falls in the second round of WPIAL playoffs. In the State playoffs, the Rebels lost to Westmont Hilltop, where Senior Daly broke the all-time leading scoring record that had been held for 40 years by Susie McConnell Serio.

“Breaking the Seton Lasalle scoring record was a goal of mine coming into senior year. I knew it was a lot of points, but I believed in myself and set goals each game for how many points I was going to score to beat this record. I had confidence in myself that I was going to beat the record. Once I scored 25 points against Karns City, knowing I only needed five more points in my next game, I knew I was getting this record. Most importantly, I would not have been able to break this record, score 1,000 points, and all my other accomplishments without my team and my family who has supported me throughout my entire basketball career,” said senior Daly. 

The last game of the Girls’ Basketball Season was not the outcome that they wanted. Against Westmont Hilltop, our Lady Rebels were down eight points, but cut it to one at halftime. By the end of the 3rd quarter, it was all tied up at 33-33. Starting the 4th quarter off with a three pointer by Sophomore Addie Lonergan gave the Rebels the lead. They could not keep the lead, so they lost 48-54. 

“What made our team so successful was our communication, and commitment off the court. We all came together and talked about our issues and plans we had for ourselves,” sophomore Lonergan noted. 

 “We all become really close. As the season went on our bond became stronger. We had an uplifting, connected, fun and trusting culture,” junior Marleea Ruscitto explained.

“The type of personality the team developed was an extroverted personality. At the beginning most of the team was scared to voice an option, let alone speak issues they had with another teammate. At the end, we all came together and shared our thoughts and opinions with each other in an extroverted way,” Addie Lonergan expressed.

As the 2023-24 season comes to an end, a new coach is getting ready to make their arrival, and the underclassmen are excited to get back in the gym.