ND-BG girls’ basketball team has season of firsts

The Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons girls’ basketball team had one simple motto this season: Refuse to lose.

No matter what adversity was thrown their way — from losing senior captain Sarah Malinowski to a knee injury just three games into the season, or dropping five straight games in the middle of the year — ND-BG bounced back, persevered and made school history.

The Lady Knights (15-9) won their first section title in 30 years, as well as their first regional crown since 1988. Even though they lost in the Class D state semifinals to Franklinville, 56-26, it can’t detract from the accomplishments of the senior-led class.

“The best thing for me was seeing them walk the hallways and the excitement kids had for them,” said Pat Moran, ND-BG’s girls’ basketball coach and athletic director. “Because it’s been a long time since any girls’ program has had this kind of success. To see them get the recognition and publicity, I was really proud for them.”

Moran knew he had a good team, but maybe not one that was going to be raising banners in the gym at season’s end.

“I thought we would do very well in sectionals this year, (but) nowhere near the success that we had,” said Moran. “I was pretty confident in the team that I had returning that we would be pretty good. But as far as how far we went, I never saw past sectionals. Nothing existed past that … it was a whole new thing.”

Added senior captain Abby Kienzle: “This season was very important to us, especially us seniors who have been chasing this goal for four or five years now. It was really special for us to finally hit those goals.”

Kienzle, whose mother played on the 1989 section-winning squad, and her fellow seniors led by their hustle, defense and determination. Senior captains Jailene Santiago and Chloe Bessinger, senior Juliana Jira and junior Ava Megyeri comprised the starting lineup. 

It was a lineup that took some time to find its stride after the Malinowski injury.

“We had to reinvent ourselves. It took us a few games to figure out where that chemistry was,” Moran said. “All of them bring something different and unique to the chemistry. Abby is nicknamed ‘My Rock’ as she’s always plugging through; Chloe and Juliana Jira did an excellent job down low and Jai has just always been someone that I have depended on. She is the glue that held things together.”

Moran added the team also got contributions from Ayiana Ford, Juliana Tortello and Meg Kienzle, Abby’s sister.

The group was tested during their five-game skid in the middle of the season, then won nine out of 10 games before losing in the state semifinals. Moran said it was after a loss to Middleburgh that he knew the Lady Trojans could be in for a special season. 

“First practice after that (loss), I walked them over to the gym where the football banner is for the team that went to states at Syracuse and I said “Look, they saved a spot for us,” Moran said “It’s up to you how we get there’ and at that point, they all kind of all bought in.”

Added Kienzle: “During the second half of our season, we started to pick up some momentum and we started winning a bunch of games in a row and I think it was at that point we felt confident we could make a pretty strong run. And as we got through sectionals, we started to realize we had a chance to win a title or two along the way.”

As well as make memories for a lifetime.

“I think the further we are from the situation, the more special it will mean to us,” Kienzle said. ”To be able to look back on it someday and think not only of our wins but of the friendships we had with the teammates, it’s something very special for all of us.”