Forever a Lady Knight
by Ray Floriani
CONVENT STATION, NJ- To me Basketball is a ’labor of love’. Vocationally, my profession is in education, specifically as Guidance Director at Marylawn of the Oranges Academy. Marylawn is a small all girls catholic high school in South Orange, New Jersey. Just under a mile away is Seton Hall University and Marylawn shares, with the Hall, the same blue and white colors and patron saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton. Run by the Sisters of Charity of St.Elizabeth, Marylawn through the years has produced a respected and competitive basketball program.
This past Friday it was an opportunity to be a fan and follow the Lady Knights, coached by Deb Ferguson (coach ‘Ferg’), as they faced Benedictine Academy in the championship game of the North Jersey Catholic School Girls League (NJCGL) at the College of St.Elizabeth.
The past two years Benedictine of Elizabeth defeated the Lady Knights in the final. This season Marylawn swept Benedictine, including a decision three days prior that gave the Lady Knights the regular season title.
The night of the finals it was great to see recent alumnae and parents of present and past students out at ‘St.E’s’ following the Lady Knights. A good student contingent with the cheerleaders and drill(dance) team also made the trip.
In the opening half, Marylawn missed about 10 free throws but due to a solid zone defense built a nine point halftime lead in the final. The remaining 16 minutes were ones to forget. Benedictine came out the second half using screens to free shooters. The rim became a teacup for the Lady Knights as they got looks but nothing dropped. Once Benedictine got the lead late in the third quarter the momentum shifted. Benedictine then held the ball to get their opponents out of a zone then used dribble penetration to exploit the man to man. For the half Marylawn scored just 11 points as Benedictine captured the 48-37 decision.
There was sadness among the Marylawn players in coming so far and not getting another championship banner back in South Orange. There was sadness in a season ending. Especially for yours truly who officiated some of their scrimmages and would stop by daily before practice on the way out to wish the ladies well. Invariably they would ask what game I was officiating or covering (as a writer) that night. More than once senior co-captain Kishawn Archie would say,” Mr. F if you are covering Duke and have an extra press pass let me know.” Officiating and writing requires objectivity but the Lady Knights game me a chance to be a fan. And one with pride in watching them play (schedule permitting) hard with exemplary sportsmanship.
The sadness starts to leaves as you look at the total picture. A regular season league title, a third straight title game appearance and , more important, five senior starters all with at least one partial academic scholarship on the table. A team with a reputation of being humble in victory and gracious in defeat. From the coaches right on down.
Following the game students and alums consoled the players regarding the game but also reminded them of their admirable accomplishments. The players filed out slowly making their way to the team bus. They all had their blue warmup shirts that proclaimed ‘forever a Lady Knight’. The seven seniors ; Kishawn Archie, Jasmine Crenshaw , Abriel Culver, Danielle ‘DJ’ Johnson, Abimbola Olawale, Dasha Superville and Courtney Sweat, all ended their Marylawn basketball careers on this night. Again, they take solace and pride knowing they are part of the Marylawn family. Forever.
ABOUT Marylawn of the Oranges
Marylawn of the Oranges is an all-girl, private, Roman Catholic high school situated in the historic Montrose district of South Orange. Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity, Marylawn is a college preparatory high school for young women. Nearly 75 years old, the school maintains academic excellence steeped in value-based education. Our students, along with their teachers and the administration, form a vibrant community of learners who are committed to the challenge of a rigorous curriculum which fosters initiative, creativity, self-respect and personal integrity.
For further information, please contact:
Deborah Seale, Director of Development
Marylawn of the Oranges
445 Scotland Road
South Orange, NJ 07079
973-762-9222 x 23
dharsh@marylawn.us
