SSPP JV girls claim CTK tourney

The SS. Peter and Paul girls JV basketball team was recently crowned 2007 CTK tournament champions. Members of the team, pictured from left, are: front row - Gina Nasca, Kim Schlosser, Alyse Bradley, Laura Wendelin, Valerie Quebral; second row - Rebecca Postek, Emily Rutowski, Julie Roehmholdt, Colleen Kenney, Corinne Shanahan, Julie Dudek; third row - Sal Nasca, John Wendelin, Paul Quebral (head coach), Mike Bradley, and Gary Dudek.

The SS. Peter and Paul Knights girls finished the 2007 season as champions of the junior varsity division of the 30th annual Christ the King Invitational Basketball Tournament.

In the semifinals, Colleen Kenney led the Knights with six points in a 14-7 defeat of hosts Christ the King. Laura Wendelin sparked a key second quarter rally with four straight points, while center Emily Rutowski and floor general Julie Dudek contributed three and two points, respectively.

On the defensive end, twin towers Julie Roehmholdt and Rebecca Postek dominated the glass, while guards Gina Nasca and Valerie Quebral created a number of turnovers by relentlessly pressuring the ball all evening. Lighting the lamp for Christ the King were Claire O'Neill, Jacki Wydysh, Caroline Klein and Charlotte McLellan.

In the championship contest, a packed gym saw SSPP come back from a three-point halftime deficit to up end a strong St. Mary's of Swormville squad, 19-14. Rutowski, with a game-high 10 points, and Kenney, with eight points, showed their shooting range by scoring both from inside and from long range. Rounding out the scoring for the Knights was Dudek, who again controlled the offense from her point guard position.

Corrine Shanahan gathered in several critical rebounds for the winners, while Kim Schlosser and Alyse Bradley stood tall at both ends of the floor to help hold off a fierce rally by St. Mary's in the closing minutes.

Smooth guard Maggie Steele and teammate Megan Cooper each had four points for St. Mary's, while Therese Mastrandrea and Kristin Zucarelli each added buckets of their own.