STATE CHAMPS!

by Paul Casey Gotham

Consider this to be an online scrap book.  Everyone is more than welcome to contribute.   I have posted links throughout this piece; more can be found at the end.   Looking forward to reading comments from the Naz parents and community.   Thanks to Smitty for getting us started with photos.  How sweet it is to have that hardware in the middle of the team photo.  The smiles tell it all.

If you haven’t already, check out Jeff DeVeronica’s article in the D&C on Naz’s semi-final win over Greene.  While you are there take in some pictures.  Also read the finals’ article and view the photo gallery.  John Boccacino also wrote a preview of the game.

Porsche Gavin lines up a free throw.  The Lasers went a scorching 15-18 from the charity stripe in the state final.  The senior point guard had twelve assists in Nazareth’s semi-final win and earned tournament MVP.

By the way – coaches?  She still has not signed to play college ball.  Don’t waste too much more time.  Unlike our country’s economy Porshe’s stock is on the rise.   If there is a seam in the defense, Porsche will find it.  Just ask Julia Crilly who was the beneficiary of several Gavin assists.

Video highlights from the championship game.

Additional footage from the semi-final win over Greene.

Hustle knows no boundaries!

Harley Cleary showing the will to win by sacrificing her body and chasing down a loose-ball.  All hands on deck – a motto that could be used to describe the Lasers.  A team that understood the meaning of a common goal.

Cleary and Gavin caused havoc for opposing ball handlers throughout the post-season.  At the front of the Lasers’ 2-2-1 press Gavin and Cleary proved too much. No opponents’ lead was ever safe as the two pestered opponents into turnover after turnover.

In the state final Hoosic Valley jumped to an 8-0 lead.  The early lead stoked the Hoosic faithful into a frenzied state.  With the gym rockin’ the Lasers used their defense to stem the tide and get back in the game. Cleary and Gavin got it started. The game became an exercise in Naz turning the tables on Hoosic Valley. In the semis the Indians held Stony Brook without a field goal for the game’s first 15:00.  Naz held Hoosic Valley without a field for over 10:00 in the finals to gain revenge on last year’s semi-final loss.  After falling behind 8-0, Naz outscored Hoosic Valley 43-23.

Janine Swanson and Megan Morrell putting Hoosic Valley in lock down.  The Lasers held the Indians to one field goal (a half-court buzzer beater) in the second quarter.  Hoosic Valley looked to run down the clock in hopes of wearing out the Nazareth defense.  Not a chance!  The Lasers contested every shot, pass, and dribble.

Swanson led all with 29 points in the two games – she earned All-Tournament Team.

Morrell pulled down 20 rebounds for the weekend and the tournament Sportsmanship award.

The senior co-captain has been a champion for all seasons helping Naz to their first ever softball sectional title when she was a sophomore.  Morrell also was a part of the Nazareth Volleyball team that has won two titles during her time at 1001 Lake Avenue.

Now she is part of the first state title in the school’s history.

Morrell and Swanson played CYO ball at Holy Cross in the city’s Charlotte section.  Swanson’s mother, Sue, was their coach at the 5th and 6th grade level.  Morrell and Swanson have been attending Nazareth basketball camp since fourth grade.  The elder Swanson is a proud Naz alum.

Co-Captain Cece Gotham first donned a Naz uniform in sixth grade when she and fellow senior, Amanda Taylor,  played CYO together.  Seven years of spring leagues, summer leagues, and AAU tournaments = state title.

She was a co-captain for the Naz soccer team that won the school’s first ever sectional title last fall.

Gotham is also a second generation Laser – three of her aunts attended the all-girls school.  The state title was a 19th birthday gift for Cece’s sister, Abbey – another proud Naz alum (reading those last few words tops out as a 9 out of 10 on the weird scale).

Oh and Ceil? The tear drop with the shot clock running down while clinging to a single-digit lead and less than 3:00 on the clock?  That was a DAGGER hunny!  And to follow that with the two free throws.  Ice water in your veins!

Nazareth’s defense took two charges against Hoosic Valley – Hannah Dolan and Cece Gotham with the honors.

Dolan – seen here – getting a steal in the semis.  We will need the help of one of Hannah’s relatives who can give us a tally as to the number of Naz grads from the family line.

Hannah is another member of the volleyball team that has won two consecutive sectional titles.  Dolan had a chance to play with her sister, Maria, on last year’s volleyball squad.  Hannah’s brother, Riley, is an avid member of the Naz cheering section.  Cousin, Shannon Culligan, is currently a senior at Naz…oh and yeah she’s been known to get a dig or two on the volleyball court.   🙂

Sophomore Julia Crilly taking it strong.  Not even an arm bar could keep her from getting to the cup.  Crilly scored 10 points in the semi-final game.  She is also a second-generation Naz student.

Crilly chipped in with the sectional champion volleyball squad.

It won’t be long and her younger sister, Caroline, will be wearing the Blue and Gold. Caroline willingly grabbed the Naz flag during the championship and led the faithful in the cheers.

Crilly’s older brother helped Aquinas to  a sectional championship last year.

Hugs all around – with the clock winding down the Lasers anticipating the celebration.  A season’s worth of practices, doing homework late at night, trudging through the snow to games and practices all comes down to this.   A sisterhood of champions and their chance to celebrate.  Take a look at this picture.  It is a tangible representation of how tight knit of a group this is.

As the clock expires, the Lasers rush the court.  Coach Belmont looks to the heavens!!!  After all these years the Lasers leave Hudson Valley Community College as New York State Class C Champions!!!  Prayers answered!!!  I am thankful Haley Swanson made it out of the pile without re-injuring her knee.  🙂

Pump, pump, pump it up!!!!  Pump that Laser spirit up!!!!  Keep, keep, keep it up!!!!  Keep that Laser spirit up!!!!

This one is for you – Naz pays tribute to their loyal fans.

Megan Morrell, Megan Kane, Caitlin Meyer, and Porsche Gavin front and center leading the Blue and Gold in honoring the Naz faithful.

Job well done – After 16 years of work Coach Belmont earns the State Trophy.  This one was for all the players who have helped build the nazareth program throughout the years.  It wasn’t too long ago that Naz physical education program consisted of shuffleboard.  Amongst the sectional banners in the all-too-tiny gym the Laser Dome will now have a banner for the 2009 STATE CHAMPS!!!!

Links and more links:

Nazareth’s victory over Salamanca in the Regionals.

Clips from Naz’s victory over Perry in the Class C State Qualifier.

Nazareth’s victory over Bloomfield in the Section V final.

More footage from the sectional finals.

Democrat and Chronicle – Game of the Week

Naz 70 Marion 56

Nazareth at Mercy

Photos and more photos

Albany Times-Union article

Times – Union photos

Messenger-Post article

Press Connects

More photos:

vs. Hoosic

vs. Greene

vs. Salamanca

vs. Bloomfield

vs. Aquinas

vs. East Aurora