AJ Abington Heights

March 3, 2010

Lady Comets spread the ball

By Adam Roberts aroberts@theabingtonjournal.com
Reporter / Photographer

The Abington Heights High School girls basketball team won another Lackawanna League Division title, a feat that seems commonplace for Vince Bucciarelli’s Lady Comets.

The team won its 11th title on Feb. 17, which capped off a perfect Division I regular season en route to a 20-2 overall mark.

While a league championship is one of many accolades on an impressive resume, this one has a different feel for the players, especially a group of seniors.

As freshman and sophomores, this year’s seniors played on teams with a clear, go-to-player, Becky Burke.

Burke has gone on to play Division I basketball for the University of Louisville, where as a sophomore she started every game this season.

With Burke’s departure, the team that historically relied on one playmaker has gone to a more balanced attack. The move brought doubt over whether the team could continue to dominate the Lackawanna League.

Doubt that senior Michelle Egan believes the team has proven wrong.

“Last year was the start,” said Egan. “We got used to working as a whole team and proved to everyone we don’t need an All-Star.”

If they proved something last year, they solidified it this season, winning the last 19 contests.

For Egan and fellow senior Samantha Paolucci, the need to rely on each other has been bonding and productive.

“It makes us all closer and gives us confidence in everyone,” said Paolucci.

The team has become a cohesive unit off the floor, spending time outside of basketball as friends.

In games, they’ve all identified their strengths and the strengths of their teammates that make the Lady Comets a tough team to prepare for.

“Once they key in on one person, we’ll move to other people,” said Egan, a post-player who serves as a catalyst off the bench.

Paolucci believes she brings strong defense to the team.

The two seniors pointed to first-year point guard Megan Fraley as the team’s controlling force while emphasizing Mariah Deibert’s strength, Maggie Fruehan’s rebounding, Jamie Montella’s deep shot despite her inside position and Marra Butler’s shot.

In their four years at Abington Heights, Paolucci and Egan have never advanced past the first round of states. A district title and a state win could do even more to prove they don’t need an All-Star to win.

“We’re in a good bracket,” said Egan on the District II playoffs. “We just need to take advantage.”

At press time on Tuesday, March 2, the Lady Comets were preparing for a first - round tilt with Berwick at Scranton High School.

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