2008 Woodie Awards
WBB Senior Night a special one
Brian Fitzsimmons
Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Sports
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Many weeks ago, Sacred Heart point guard Kerri Burke was told her torn ACL would make it difficult to walk normally, let alone play 40 minutes of hard-nosed full-court basketball the way coach Ed Swanson demanded.
She was out.
Senior year? Probably lost forever. That was Burke then. This is Burke now.
Last week after the Pioneers routed Quinnipiac 73-53, she was laughing with senior teammate Jasmine Walker about the time the two were taking a picture, but both ended up in a birthday cake fight. This trip down memory lane was one of many as the Pioneers honored their four seniors on Senior Night in the William H. Pitt Center. The sweat dripping down Burke's face started to settle, the noticeable bulge of ice under her sweatpants froze her leg from 25 grueling minutes of play and the smeared mascara under her eyes proved she did tear up when the announcer called her name on the floor for recognition prior to the contest. No one said it, but she may have felt what her coach has lately.
"She is the blood and guts of our team," said Swanson. "I hope we are able to contend for an NEC championship, but when she battled to play with a torn ACL, that's all I need for this year."
Last season, as the Pioneers took fans on the ride of their lives by winning the Northeast conference title and earning a bid in the NCAA tournament to face No. 3 Maryland, putting together a consistent streak of wins and crisp play was easy. They entered the NEC playoffs swimmingly.
This year, without Nicolle Rubino, a healthy Burke, and less depth than last season, it has been a struggle.
These seniors accept it, and in a way, love it.
Amanda Pape was the last of the four seniors to have her named called out and her accolades lapsed about two minutes long.
She is the school's all-time leading scorer. She won the 2006 NEC Player of the Year award. She was awarded with the Connecticut Sports Writer's Athlete of the Year.
She was out.
Senior year? Probably lost forever. That was Burke then. This is Burke now.
Last week after the Pioneers routed Quinnipiac 73-53, she was laughing with senior teammate Jasmine Walker about the time the two were taking a picture, but both ended up in a birthday cake fight. This trip down memory lane was one of many as the Pioneers honored their four seniors on Senior Night in the William H. Pitt Center. The sweat dripping down Burke's face started to settle, the noticeable bulge of ice under her sweatpants froze her leg from 25 grueling minutes of play and the smeared mascara under her eyes proved she did tear up when the announcer called her name on the floor for recognition prior to the contest. No one said it, but she may have felt what her coach has lately.
"She is the blood and guts of our team," said Swanson. "I hope we are able to contend for an NEC championship, but when she battled to play with a torn ACL, that's all I need for this year."
Last season, as the Pioneers took fans on the ride of their lives by winning the Northeast conference title and earning a bid in the NCAA tournament to face No. 3 Maryland, putting together a consistent streak of wins and crisp play was easy. They entered the NEC playoffs swimmingly.
This year, without Nicolle Rubino, a healthy Burke, and less depth than last season, it has been a struggle.
These seniors accept it, and in a way, love it.
Amanda Pape was the last of the four seniors to have her named called out and her accolades lapsed about two minutes long.
She is the school's all-time leading scorer. She won the 2006 NEC Player of the Year award. She was awarded with the Connecticut Sports Writer's Athlete of the Year.
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art
posted 3/01/07 @ 8:19 PM EST
We have had season tickets for 4 years through our school auction in Milford(St. Gabriels). We have played at halftime for each of the year with our 3/4 grade team. (Continued…)
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