Kennedy Catholic Golden Eagles
Boys
Coach (season, record): Rick Mancino (3rd season, 29-15)
2010-11 overall record: 15-6
2010-11 region record (place): 7-3 (second)
2010-11 playoff results: Defeated Cochranton 68-49 and lost to West Middlesex 59-45 in the District 10 Class A playoffs.
Top players lost: Matt Gurska, Jordan Branca, Chad Branca, Dante Vetica
Top returning players: Ken Fill, Mac Hartman, Jeff Thompkins
Assistant coaches: John Heutsche, Core Djakovich
Outlook: Kennedy Catholic fell short of another District 10 title last winter and will need to fill some important holes if the Golden Eagles want to return to the postseason. Third-year coach Rick Mancino lost Matt Gurska, Jordan Branca, Chad Branca and Dante Vetica to graduation. The good news is 6-foot 3-inch Ken Fill is back to provide senior leadership, while juniors Mac Hartman (6-6) and Jeff Thompkins are also back to help out. The trio will be counted on a lot this winter but the Golden Eagles will also need some big-time contributions from the underclassmen. Rocky Grove might be down this year but Kennedy will still have to worry about West Middlesex in region play. The Golden Eagles should be back in the postseason but whether they can win a region or district title will come down to freshmen and sophomores stepping up.
Schedule
December
9-10 DuBois tournament
13 at Cochranton 7:30
16 at Sharpsville 7:30
21 at Warren JFK (Ohio) 7:30
28-29 Grove City tournament
January
3 Greenville 7:30
6 at Reynolds 7:30
10 Lakeview 7:30
13 Jamestown* 7:30
17 at Rocky Grove* 7:30
20 VisionQuest* 7:30
24 at Commodore Perry* 7:30
27 West Middlesex* 7:30
30 Ursuline (Ohio) 7:30
February
3 at Jamestown* 7:30
7 Rocky Grove* 7:30
10 at VisionQuest* 7:30
14 Commodore Perry* 7:30
17 at West Middlesex* 7:30
21 Cardinal Mooney (Ohio) 7:30
Girls
Coach (season, record): Tom Burns (5th season, 68-31)
2010-11 overall record: 21-4
2010-11 region record (place): 10-0 (champion)
2010-11 playoff results: Won the District 10 Class A championship by defeating Linesville 51-46 and Farrell 53-35. Kennedy Catholic then defeated Rochester 41-27 and lost to Homer Center 49-44 in the PIAA playoffs.
Top player lost: Sara Ritchie
Top returning players: Rachel Burns, Alex Ricketts, Marina Wareham, Angelene Rapone, Brie Dickson, Kelsey George
Assistant coaches: Sara Hurl, Shelly Kish
Outlook: Kennedy Catholic managed to win a District 10 Class A championship with basically a team full of underclassmen. The Golden Eagles are one year older and have developed a strong chemistry together. Kennedy lost Sara Ritchie to graduation but everyone else is back. Seniors Marina Wareham and Angelene Rapone are coming off impressive fall seasons playing volleyball, tennis and cross country, while juniors Rachel Burns, Alex Ricketts, Brie Dickson and Kelsey George return as well. The Golden Eagles have plenty of talent whichs is only bolstered by freshman Rebekah Kish and 6-foot 1-inch transfer Courtney Sargent from Hubbard, Ohio. Kennedy has averaged 20 wins over the past three seasons, including two D-10 titles and three appearances in the PIAA playoffs. The Golden Eagles have the talent to make a deep run this year and will need to stay focused throughout the winter to repeat as D-10 champions.
Schedule
December
9-10 Franklin tournament
12 at Youngstown Ursuline (Ohio) 7
19 Sharpsville 7:30
23 Jamestown* 7:30
26-30 Penn State tournament
January
5 at West Middlesex* 7:30
9 at Farrell* 7:30
12 Commodore Perry* 7:30
14 Cardinal Mooney (Ohio) 2:30
16 at Rocky Grove* 7:30
19 at Wilmington 7:30
23 Warren JFK 7:30
28 at Girard 2:30
31 at Reynolds 7:30
February
2 at Jamestown* 7:30
6 West Middlesex* 7:30
9 Farrell* 7:30
13 at Commodore Perry* 7:30
16 Rocky Grove* 7:30
Wednesday: Lakeview
– Tom Reisenweber
