Sophomore Amani Tatum is stepping into a leadership role for Archbishop Molloy. (Kendall Rodriguez)
Archbishop Molloy believes it will be young in name only.
The core players from a the team that unseated Christ the King as CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens champions two years ago have finished their careers in Briarwood, including graduates Kyra Aloizos (Binghamton) Kelly Guerriero (Mount St. Mary’s) and Marielle Duryea (Adelphi). This season, the Stanners reload with solid veterans and a group of six sophomores that spent the summer playing together with the New York Elite travel team and Molloy coach Tom Catalanotto.
“I’m impressed with how well they are responding,” senior forward Elizabeth (Gurt) Lynch said. “I don’t feel like they are really are sophomores on the court. Especially Amani [Tatum], I don’t even think of her as an underclassman.”
The talented point guard is arguably the best of the bunch after contributing and playing significant minutes as a freshman last season. Catalanotto believed the players time together over the summer and seven preseason scrimmages will help shorten how long it will take to build chemistry and learn his style of play.
“We basically learned each other over the summer, what we need to work on and who does what well,” Tatum said.
Tatum is getting used to, and maturing in, her new role as a leader. At practice she is telling her teammates to start drills and instructing them when they make mistakes. She can break defenders down off the dribble, possesses tremendous strength and quickness and isn’t afraid to get scrappy on the defensive end.
“I look to her like a co-captain,” Lynch said. “She really is really impressing me with getting everyone together.”
Tatum will being joined in the backcourt by classmate Alexa (Weasel) Dietrich, who helped lead the Molloy junior varsity team to the Brooklyn/Queens title game. Dietrich is smart with the ball, tough and can knock down jump shots. Marisa Puzino and sophomores Kamille Ejerta and Jessie Jamin will add depth and speed to a team that can pressure and push when need be.
“I think they really complement each other,” Catalanotto said of Tatum and Dietrich. “They push each other. One is very good off the dribble, the other can shoot. It’s a great combination.”
Molloy’s lack of an experienced post player will move Lynch, who is more of a small forward, into the paint at times. The 6-foot, Haverford-bound senior is hoping for her best season after missing most of her sophomore campaign with a torn ACL. Her ability to knock down jumpers could cause mismatches. Classmate Angela Contorno, a 5-foot-10, three-year varsity player, will also be asked to do more, both scoring and on the glass.
“I’m ready to show what I got,” Contorno said…”This is everyone’s times to step up.”
This isn’t a team without size. Sophomore Dallas Pralle, who stands 6-foot-1, was on the varsity last season, but was set back from injury. Catalanotto said she is progressing and he also expects big things from sophomore forward Carolyn Gallagher and Patti Dorgler, who started on the JV last year. Gallagher has a knack for scoring around the basket and can make the mid-range jumper.
“I think this year we are going to come along very well,” Tatum said. “I think teams are underestimating us.”
The Stanners finished fourth last season in CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Division I and feel they can compete again this year with a mature group of underclassman that will further develop in years to come. Catalanotto understands that breaking in a young team in a loaded league won’t be easy and there will be a learning curve early.
“I’m looking forward to this year,” Catalanotto said. “I know because we played together over the summer it’s not going to take them as long to catch up and they played against a high level of competition. So it’s not like they are not used to playing against varsity players. They are.”