By Paul Gotham
The horn sounded, and the scoreboard read 54-31. Nazareth Academy’s Lasers defeated Marcus-Whitman’s Wildcats to advance in the 2010 Girls’ Class B Section V Championships.
Twenty-three points marked the final margin of victory, but the game was not even that close. Nazareth sprinted to an 18-5 lead after one quarter. By half, Nazareth’s lead swelled to 20.
Like the previous 299 wins, Nazareth coach, Chris Belmont, shook hands with the opposing coach, left the floor and accompanied his team into the locker room. If not for an announcement informing fans of his milestone, few would have known what happened.
When Belmont returned from the locker room, there was no celebration. In his usual unassuming manner, the veteran coach collected video equipment from a parent volunteer, gathered stat sheets, shook a couple of hands, and prepared to leave. There was work to do and another game’s preparation – no time to dwell on personal accomplishments.
For seventeen years, Belmont has humbly guided the Nazareth Academy athletic program in this way choosing to deflect any praise to his players.
And there has been plenty of praise.
Belmont’s teams have amassed eight Section V titles and earned six New York State Final Four appearances. Former Lasers have graduated and enjoyed success in college. Meghan Dahlman played in the NCAA Tournament with Marist College. Nicole Jones currently plays with the University of Massachusetts. Nicole Lockhart and Rochelle Cherry also played Division One basketball. Several others play and have played at the Junior College and Division Three level.
Success has not been limited to the basketball court.
Under Belmont’s watch as athletic director, Nazareth teams won sectional titles in bowling, soccer, softball, and volleyball. Lasers have also triumphed in track and field. Trophies from numerous league and tournament titles fill display cases in the halls at 1001 Lake Avenue. Nazareth athletes have dotted All Greater-Rochester lists and Private-Parochial all-star teams.
Belmont’s finest hour, though, came a year ago when Nazareth earned the title as State Champs. A team as unassuming as its coach brought home the only trophy missing from the case. Without a true superstar in the lineup, the 2008-2009 Nazareth Lasers adjusted to every situation presented to them. Belmont steered the team through a season of triumphs and pitfalls before ending with an eight-game winning streak. By the end of the season, six different Lasers earned the title of game-high scorer.
The current Lasers moved on to the next round of play. Each win now brings with it a bittersweet taste as this season will be the last in Nazareth Academy history.
Less than two months ago, the Sisters of St. Joseph announced plans to join with Aquinas Institute and create a co-educational Catholic school system. The decision brings to an end the all girls high school at Nazareth Academy after over 140 years of existence.
When this school year ends, inter-scholastic athletics at Nazareth Academy will become a part of history. Thanks to the efforts of Chris Belmont those events will be moments in time for the Nazareth faithful.
Nazareth plays Dansville Tuesday night in a Class B semi-final match. Game time is 8p.m. at Gates-Chili high school.
I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of this accomplishment than Coach Belmont!
Through the many coaches I have had throughout my life of sports, I truly believe that Belmont was the best coach I have ever played for. His ability to inspire his players and take a team like the one I had the pleasure of playing on my senior year at Naz and create state champions is like no other coach I’ve ever encountered.
I feel honored to have played for him, as I’m sure the many other girls that have played for him through the years are as well. He is truly a great guy, always humbly seeking out the best for his athletes.
It pains me to think that after this season other young women may not have the opportunity to play for Belmont with the merging of the Nazareth Schools with Aquinas, especially after the great experience with him as my coach. I can honestly say that I believe every athlete that went under the direction of Belmont came out stronger in the end. His ability to control his players, no matter issues he faced shows the true signs of a good coach, and that is what he is.
Congrats Coach Belmont! You deserve it!
From one Section V alum to another – congrats, Coach Belmont! Here’s hoping the Lasers can do it again this year and make the final two seasons in the school’s history the most dominant ones.
Congrats to Coach Belmont!!
It has been an absolute pleasure watching the girls play over the last 3 seasons. It is obvious these girls love playing for him and it is a pleasure watching how he guides the girls through the ups and down – but how he does it with class and humility.
If it has to end – here is hoping that Nazareth can go out the right way – the way it deserves – as champions.