In a fashion a bit reminiscent of last winter, Our Lady of Lourdes opened its season with two impressive victories over out-of-town opponents, winning the final of its annual Bastian Friendship Tournament.
But what made a familiar scene remarkable is how differently it came about.
After a near perfect run last season culminated in a Class AAA state championship, the girls basketball team graduated four seniors, including three stars who now play collegiately. Given the changes, it was reasonable to assume there would be a step back and that, with a new core, it might take several weeks for this group to hit its stride.
That likely still will be the case, but it certainly was an encouraging sign for the Warriors last weekend, offering immediate evidence that this version can also excel.
“I’m happy with that,” coach Al Viani said. “We started a week later than usual, and it’s been a rush with a young team. But we played well in spurts and I’m definitely happy with the results.”
Those results included a 59-20 rout of Section 2’s Saratoga Springs in which Lila Lovgren had 15 points, three assists and three steals. They defeated Kennedy Catholic of Somers, 47-41, in a championship game Sunday in which Bianka Velovic went for 21 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks. Lovgren added 15 points and five assists.
Those two are the returning starters and, it figures, they’ll be the offensive focal points this season. Velovic is a 6-foot-1 center who shined last season as a defensive anchor and showed potential as a low-post scorer. Lovgren, featured heavily as a spot-up shooter before, is now being relied on as a primary ball-handler and playmaker.
“It’s no secret,” Viani said, “Lila and Bianka are gonna have to have big seasons if we’re gonna do well.”
Undoubtedly. But that tandem is also complemented by quality depth. Katie Savona and power forward Sofi Pelish have made significant strides and delivered defensively, the coach said. Those two, he believes, will also be foundational pillars.
Velovic is comfortable being vocal and has emerged as a leader in that regard, and Savona is a good communicator. Lovgren, as her responsibilities have expanded and her confidence grows, is stepping into a leadership role, Viani said.
Claire Wagner scored nine points in the win over Saratoga Springs. The senior was a hero in their state semifinal last March, and she still is a perimeter threat. As well, their backcourt will be bolstered by Jael Collazo-Cousin, a transfer from Yonkers whose defensive skills and quickness the coach lauded.
They’ll need a collective effort and steady contributions from everyone to help compensate for the loss of Jackie Kozakiewicz, Kayla Johannesen and Simone Pelish, a former three-time Journal Player of the Year who now plays for the University of Miami.
“We’re working through that now, seeing who’s gonna step up,” Viani said. “Offensively, it’s gonna have to be a group effort. We don’t have a player who’s gonna score 25 to 30 every game. But so far, I’m impressed with how hard they’re playing.”
Their hope, he said, is for this team to gel and “be ready to roll” by January. Of course, the schedule won’t wait for them and, although some of the names have changed, the standards remain. The Warriors will be tested in an Albany-area tournament beginning Dec. 27, facing two of the better Section 2 teams in Averill Park and Columbia, followed by a meeting with a talented Pine Bush squad.
They’ll face these challenges while building and adjusting, and while still carrying that burnished “defending state champion” target.
“I told the kids, ‘The good thing is we’re defending state champs and the the bad thing is we’re defending state champs,’” Viani said. “But you can’t let the pressure of being a defending champ get to you. It’s not fair to them. We’re not gonnna go undefeated, I promise. Although, we’re certainly gonna try.”
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
