Basketball season is almost over!

The PCL heats up this weekend as the girls and boys play in the quarterfinals.
Here's the schedule:

Tonight, Feb. 19
Girls
St. Hubert @ Wood, 7 p.m.
Prendie @ Ryan, 7 p.m.
Dougherty @ O'Hara, 7 p.m.

Boys
Saturday, Feb. 20
Wood vs. Carroll @ Ryan, noon
Neumann-Goretti vs. Dougherty @ Carroll, 3 p.m.
La Salle vs. North @ Ryan, 4 p.m.
Roman vs. St. Joe's Prep @ Carroll, 7 p.m.

Also, here's this season's boys All-Catholic list:

COACH OF THE YEAR: Joe Dempsey, La Salle.

RED DIVISION
FIRST TEAM

Rakeem Brookins, MVP, Roman
Troy Hockaday, La Salle
Eddie Mitchell, La Salle
Mike Terry, North
Jaleel Mack, North
Joe Nardi, SJ Prep

SECOND TEAM
Jamal Melvin, Bonner
Reggie Charles, Judge
Gene Williams, SJ Prep
Kevin Regan, Roman
Woody Redding, North

THIRD TEAM
Keefer Francis, Bonner
Eric Fleming, Ryan
Scott Slade, Bonner
Bob Makor, North
Seamus Radtke, Judge

BLUE DIVISION
FIRST TEAM
Tony Chennault, MVP, N-G
Juan'ya Green, Carroll
Joe Getz, Wood
Danny Stewart, N-G
Ike Robinson, C-E
Tyreek Duren, N-G .
*Fran Dougherty Wood (missed league play with injury)

SECOND TEAM
DJ Irving, Carroll
Aquil Younger, West
Ben Mingledough Carroll
Brandyn Wims, Dougherty
Mustafaa Jones, N-G

THIRD TEAM
Brian O'Grady, Wood
Mike Barr, Lansdale
Lamin Fulton, N-G
Brandon Brown, Dougherty
Doug Macrone, Wood

More '09 All-Catholics

Philadelphia Catholic League All-Catholics

Girls Soccer
First Team
Samantha Greenfield, Wood
Megan Poiesz, Lansdale Catholic
Christine Verrelle, Wood
Courtney Neimiec, Little Flower
Amanda Johnson, Ryan
Rachel Kurtz, Conwell-Egan
Melissa Chapman, Lansdale Catholic
Ashley DiOrio, St. Hubert
Kerri McClay, Wood
Hunter Filippo, Wood
Jenna Richards, Conwell-Egan
Jessica Koci, Ryan (goalkeeper)
Maureen Hawkins, Dougerty
Alex Tope, Prendie
Caroline Hopkins, Dougherty
Adriana Sciascia, Neumann-Goretti
Jess Granese, McDevitt
Connie Larusso, Hallahan
Jess Rotella, Prendie
Leanna Ashcorn, Hallahan
Jennie Filippello, Neuman-Goretti
Alyssa Reinsel, McDevitt
Alex Caizzo, Kennedy-Kenrick
Brenna Coll, Dougherty (goalkeeper)

Second Team
Michelle Saklad, Ryan
Lauren Heisse, Ryan
Allison Clark, Carroll
Nicole Daly, O'Hara
Jessica Cunning, Lansdale Catholic
Mary Kate Morris, St. Hubert
Kerri Goodwin, Little Flower
Maura Gifford, Lansdale Catholic
Monica Re, Wood
jill Catania, O'Hara
kelsey Stevens, Ryan
Mackenzie Pinto, Lansdale Catholic (goalkeeper)
MaryKate Sullivan, Prendie
Alie Lazar, Dougherty
Stacy O'Neill, West
C.J. Murphy, Hallahan
Regina DelBuono, Kennedy-Kenrick
Nya Mercer, Hallahan
Karla Masciotro, Neumann-Goretti
Jillian MacDonald, Dougherty
Krista Farrell, McDevitt
Lea Saunders, Prendie
Jenna Wilson, Prendie
Miranda Schieler, Prendie (goalkeeper)

Third Team
Laura Pallister, Little Flower
Kelsey Celline, Wood
Mary Kate McCann, Carroll
Samantha Strohm, Ryan
Aimee Gennaro, Carroll
Allison Barker, Conwell-Egan
Courtney Weidner, Little Flower
Caitlin Bendig, Wood
Alexa Shumate, Lansdale Catholic
Laura Markopoulos, Carroll
Alyssa Bollard, St. Hubert
Alyson Hop, Wood (goalkeeper)
Susanna Cochrane, McDevitt
Bianca Giorgio, Neumann-Goretti
Kate Gossner, McDevitt
Mary Kate McMonagle, Dougherty
Tonia Russo, Neumann-Goretti
Katie Davis, West
Jenn Danella, Kennedy-Kenrick
Kelly Ebner, Kennedy-Kenrick
Sara Meyers, Hallahan
Jo Saunders, Prendie
Julie Gallagher, McDevitt
Nicole Napoli, Hallahan (goalkeeper)

Boys Soccer
First Team
Tolani Ibikunle, St. Joe's Prep
Darius Madison, La Salle
Ryan Brocker, Judge
Khristian Hall, North
Tim Stahl, Ryan
Emmanuel Kollie, Judge
Pat McGlynn, St. Joe's Prep
Nick Morris, Judge
Nate Kurylo, La Salle
Dan Venuto, North
Chris Pawlowski, La Salle
Ira Woodruff, North
John McCarthy, North (goalkeeper)
Tom Baker, Wood
Matt DiLiegro, Conwell-Egan
Chris Wilson, Wood
Paul Rambo, Conwell-Egan
Emmett Filipelli, Carroll
Matt Maloney, Kennedy-Kenrick
James Pinder, Lansdale Catholic
Austin West, Neumann-Goretti
Trey Chamberlain, Wood
Mike Gratzinger, Kennedy-Kenrick
Alex Wilson, Lansdale Catholic
Nick Gremminger, Kennedy-Kenrick

Second Team
Rob Steck, Wood
Ryan Moffatt, McDevitt
Ian Monagle, Conwell-Egan
Joe Bozzelli, Dougherty
Khalif Allen, West
Will Huff, Neumann-Goretti
Steve Dominello, McDevitt
Bill Castor, Conwell-Egan
Sean Ronney, Lansdale Catholic
Tim Carroll, West
Justin Brydges, Neumann-Goretti
Brian Frasca, McDevitt (goalkeeper)
Conner Caravan, Bonner
Zach DePerro, Ryan
Nick Valecee, Roman
Frank Vogelman, Roman
Jeff Signora, O'Hara
Kevin Bushbeck, Judge
Kevin Nelms, Ryan
Rob Poli, St. Joe's Prep
Darius Gblonbke, Judge
Nico Delgado, Roman
Steve Kelly, La Salle (goalkeeper)

Third Team
Juan Pablo Martinez, North
Dan Panepresso, Ryan
J.T. Maurer, St. Joe's Prep
Tim Peifer, La Salle
Brian Wright, Judge
Mike Moran, Bonner
Sean Burke, St. Joe's Prep
Jack Reilly, St. Joe's Prep
Christian Canavarro, O'Hara (goalkeeper)
Kevin Neyer, McDevitt
Dave Spedding, Carroll
Dan Price, Kennedy-Kenrick
Joe Halbherr, Dougherty
Andrew Bulman, Carroll
Mike Trodden, Wood
Vince Raffaele, McDevitt
Ryan Bogas, Lansdale
Nick Poehland, Kennedy-Kenrick
Alex Frederick, Kennedy-Kenrick
Patrick Sheldon, Kennedy-Kenrick (goalkeeper)

Field Hockey

First Team
Lindsay McArdle, O'Hara
Kelsey Byrne, Carroll
Nicole Goff, Carroll
Katie Shields, Kennedy-Kenrick
Megan George, O'Hara
Emily O'Neill, Prendie
Maria Mastrocola, Kennedy-Kenrick
Cassandra Fario, Conwell-Egan
Kate Barcoski, St. Hubert
Alyssa Andress, Wood
Megan Dillon, St. Hubert

Second Team
Raphaela Rocha, Ryan
Brooke Stretch, Prendie
Maddy Lesher, Carroll
Jen DiPaolo, Wood
Alicia Govanicci, O'Hara
Shannon Murray, Prendie
Melissa Brosions, Carroll
Stpehanie Fratoni, O'Hara
Allison Pollock, Bishop McDevitt
Liz DiPlacido, Lansdale
Hilary Clauss, Lansdale

Honorable Mention
Kate McFadden, St. Hubert
Courtney Rowe, O'Hara
Danielle Wood, Little Flower
Kristine Visco, Ryan
Jessica Burns, Kennedy-Kenrick

'09 All Stars

What a better way to start the new year than to recognize the '09 fall sport All-Catholics/All-Stars within our Archdiocese. Congratulations!

Philadelphia Catholic League Football

AAAA DIVISION
MVP: Corey Brown, O'Hara.

FIRST TEAM
Offense
Ryan Geiger, La Salle
Matt Williams, O'Hara
Seth Betancourt, St. Joe’s Prep
Sean McGinn St. Joe’s Prep
James Colivas, Bonner
Steve Jones, La Salle
Sam Feleccia, La Salle
Connor Hoffman, La Salle
Drew Loughery, La Salle
Jamal Abdur-Rahman, La Salle
Desmon Peoples, St. Joe’s Prep
Dan O'Hara. O'Hara
Steve O'Hara, St. Joe’s Prep
Mike Bennett, La Salle
Dave Faraldo, Judge

Defense
Steve Szostak, La Salle
Matt Williams, O'Hara
Bill Mancini, St. Joe’s Prep
Steve Sinnott, La Salle
Shane Brady, La Salle
Brendan O'Callaghan, O'Hara
Ryan Saraceni, La Salle
Mike Huf, O'Hara
Mike Labor, St. Joe’s Prep
Connor Thompson, Judge
Kevin Forster, La Salle
Skyler Mornhinweg, St. Joe’s Prep
Kushmir Miller, St. Joe’s Prep
Kevin Regan, Roman

SECOND TEAM
Offense
Ryan Donovan, St. Joe’s Prep
Cameron Cappo, La Salle
Steve Szostak, La Salle
Matt DiGiacomo, La Salle
Matt Schickling, Roman
Mike Huf, O'Hara
Matt Gies, Judge
Bobby D'Orazio, St. Joe’s Prep
Tony Smith, Judge
Curt Wortham, Judge
Dennis Regan, Roman
Eric Petransky, Bonner
Tim Wade, La Salle
Owen Radtke, Judge
Dan Vanderslice, Bonner

Defense
Bill Swallow, Judge
Corey Bronson, Roman
Tyler Ramirez, Bonner
Jack Gallagher, Roman
Steve O'Hara, St. Joe’s Prep
Andrew Hackett, Bonner
Anthony Cognettim La Salle
Jack Foley, Roman
John DiGregorio, O'Hara
Dennis Regan, Roman
Corey Brown, O'Hara
Andrew Onimus, O'Hara

AAA DIVISION
MVP: Jerry Rahill, Wood.

FIRST TEAM
Offense
Ray Reuscher, North
Austin Oscovitch, Conwell-Egan
Chris Knott, Wood
Frank Taylor, Wood
Stan "Buddy" Visack, Neumann-Goretti
Colin Thompson, Wood
Julian Huggins, North
Ryan Bond, Conwell-Egan
Anthony Singlar, Conwell-Egan
Kerry McAnany, Conwell-Egan
Scott Adkins, Wood
Eugene Byrd, North
Devon Barrett, Lansdale Catholic
Sam McCain, Wood
Nick Visco, Wood
Will Huff, Neumann-Goretti

Defense
Matt Hoch, Wood
Matt McGouldrick, Lansdale Catholic
Steve Humma, Conwell-Egan
Kerry McAnany, Conwell-Egan
Daniel Clark, North
Charlie McCairns, Wood
Austin Oscovitch, Conwell-Egan
Pat Glemser, Wood
David D. Williams, North
Ryan Bond, Conwell-Egan
Scott Adkins, Wood
Jerry Rahill, Wood
Kevin McGinn, Lansdale Catholic

SECOND TEAM
Offense
Dan Grimes, Wood
Micale Allen, North
Kerry Shields, North
Matt Reidy, North
Eric Hrynczyszyn, Conwell-Egan
Jesse Kinsey, Neumann-Goretti
Kevin Shaw, Wood
David Sherman, North
Jerry Rahill, Wood
Kevin Murt, Wood
Will Huff, Neumann-Goretti
Bill Castor, Conwell-Egan

Defense
Stephen Rooney, North
Jack Schanz, North
Chris Albu, Wood
Jack McGurrin, Conwell-Egan
Brian Butler, Wood
Tom Gaus, Lans
Bob Butler, North
Stan "Buddy" Visack, Neumann-Goretti
Devon Barrett, Lansdale Catholic
Stephon Singleton, North
Mark Allen, North
John Snyder, Neumann-Goretti
John Clark, Conwell-Egan

AA DIVISION
MVP: Drew Siegfried, McDevitt.

FIRST TEAM
Offense
Colin Leach, McDevitt
Steve Holdsworth, Kennedy-Kenrick
Hovard Harrison, Dougherty
Jake Zuzek, West Catholic
Sean Maguire, McDevitt
Jim Lynch, West Catholic
Quran Kent, West Catholic
Nick Newman, Dougherty
Drew Siegfried, McDevitt
Tarik Morris, Dougherty
Joshua Mathis, West Catholic
Gary Postell, McDevitt
Bryant Moritz, Carroll
Brandon Hollomon, West Catholic
Tim Carroll, West Catholic
Drew Siegfried, McDevitt

Defense
Stephen Logan, Dougherty
Chris King, Carroll
Matt McGrory, McDevitt
Jim Lynch, West Catholic
Dante Dickens, West Catholic
Matt Donaldson, Carroll
Anthony McDonnaugh, West Catholic
Matt Brigg, Carroll
Joe Polansky, McDevitt
Cullen Rota, Kennedy-Kenrick
Ray Manuel, West Cathoilc
Matt Conroy, McDevitt
Tarik Morris, Dougherty

SECOND TEAM
Offense
Dom DiGalbo, West Catholic
Khalif Jackson, Dougherty
Rodney Linder, West Catholic
Kevin Polansky, McDevitt
Ryan Speller, McDevitt
Jesse Rosinski, Dougherty
Cullen Rota, Kennedy-Kenrick
Eerin Young, McDevitt
Noah Mascio, Kennedy-Kenrick
Aaron Regan, Kennedy-Kenrick
Ed Kelly, Kennedy-Kenrick
Matt McGrory, McDevitt
Luther Harling, Dougherty
Andrew Brouwers, Carroll
Mike Grogan, West Catholic

Defense
John Ruppert, West Catholic
Brian Mosby, West Catholic
Steve Holdsworth, Kennedy-Kenrick
Ed Kelly, Kennedy-Kenrick
Kyle McDowell, Dougherty
Hovard Harrison, Dougherty
Bill Tobin, West Catholic
Tim Young, Kennedy-Kenrick
Luther Harling, Dougherty
Marcus Allen, Dougherty
Nick Newman, Dougherty
Ryan Shea, Carroll
Drew Siegfried, McDevitt

Philadelphia Catholic League Girls Cross Country

First Team
Nicole DelGrosso, O’Hara
Alyssa Bellia, Carroll
Maura Craney, Wood
Katie Rodden, Carroll
Fiona Egan, O’Hara
Katie Boligitz, Wood
Maura Nolan, Wood
Emily Creighton, O’Hara
Brittany Bower, O’Hara
Carolan DiFiore, St. Hubert
Claire DelCasale, St. Hubert
Bridget McDermott, O’Hara
Teresa Ortiz, St. Hubert
Meghan Hotz, O’Hara
Ashley Sexton, St. Hubert
Sinead Egan, O’Hara
Laura Antinucci, Hallahan
Kirseten McGroary, O’Hara
Nancy McNulty, O’Hara
Talia Shaw, Talia , Wood
Kelly Clavin, Ryan
Erin Love, St. Hubert
Melissa Kline, Ryan

Second Team
Joanna Shen, Ryan
Becca Whitlock, Wood
Gina Montgomery, St.Hubert
Jessica Cosenza, Wood
Michelle Washington, McDevitt
Anna Barba, Carroll
Kelsey Kilgore, Kelsey, Prendie

Honorable Mention
Sam Kuhar, Wood
Emily Prybella, Ryan
Bridget Golato, Prendie
Angela Geiss, Prendie
Erin Brady, Ryan
Sarah Moleski, Prendie
Renae Keeley, Prendie
Christy Cardillo, Lansdale Catholic
Kayla Keir, O’Hara
Marissa Conley, O’Hara
Kierstin Kee, O’Hara

A.A.C.A. Field Hockey All-Stars

Marie Elena Bolles, Villa Maria
Caitlin Fazio, Villa Maria
Molly Murphy, Villa Maria
Samantha Ostoich, Villa Maria
Anna Zarkoski, Villa Maria
Molly Doyle, Merion Mercy
Carly Keating, Merion Mercy
Sarah Hospodar, Merion Mercy
Keira Zambon, Merion Mercy
Anne Burgoyne, Mount St. Joseph
Mary Jo Horgan, Mount St. Joseph
Allie Sabia, Mount St. Joseph
Nicole Schuster, Mount St. Joseph
Kerri Crumlish, Sacred Heart
Kim Herman, Sacred Heart
Amy Robinson, Sacred Heart
Haley Keenan, Gwynedd Mercy
Alex McMackin, Gwynedd Mercy
Marissa Barreras, Villa Joseph Marie
Taylor Conway, Villa Joseph Marie
Maggie Petrucci, St. Basil
Caitlin Lange, Nazareth Academy

A.A.C.A. Golf All-Stars

Emily Gimpel, Mount St. Joe Academy
MaryElizabeth Entwistle, , Mount St. Joe Academy
Nicole Mischler, Mount St. Joe Academy
Samm Arena, Mount St. Joe Academy
Villa Maria:
Grace Dalton, Villa Maria
Brianna Forde, Villa Maria
Casey Hall, Villa Maria
Jamie Bumgardner, Gwynedd Mercy
Tierney Sadowl, Gwynedd Mercy
Katie Dunphy, Gwynedd Mercy
Elizabeth Parker, Merion Mercy
Carly Szyszko, Nazareth Academy
Michelle Applegate, Nazareth Academy
Maureen McKeever, Sacred Heart
Genevieve Chiminski, Villa Joe Marie

A.A.C.A. Soccer All-Stars

Nicol Natale, Merion Mercy
Maggie Borski, Nazareth
Alex Sawicki, Nazareth
Jordann Smith, St. Basil
Chelsea Czarnik, St. Basil
Kelly Moran, Mt. St. Joe
Alyssa Drisscoll, Mt. St. Joe
Maggie Gottschalk, Mt. St. Joe
Emily Irons, Gwynedd
Merideth Jones, Gwynedd
Brianne Lazevnick, Gwynedd
Kasey Schiavoni, Villa Maria
Julie Mongan, Villa Maria
Katie Higgins, Villa Maria
Molly Nawalinski, Villa Maria
Dominique Ponente, Villa Joe
*Breanna Pletnick, Villa Joe Marie (League MVP)
Taylor Antolino, Villa Joe Marie
Meghan Ledwith, Villa Joe Marie
Lindsey King, Villa Joe Marie
Kelsey McAnelly, Villa Maria (Goal Keeper)
Courtney Sullivan, Gwynedd (Goal Keeper)

A.A.C.A. Tennis All-Stars

Singles
Maddie Roussel, Villa Maria
Alex Wagner, Gwynedd Mercy
Maddie Graf, Villa Joseph Marie
RyAnne Baldwin, Sacred Heart
Casey Borish, Nazareth Academy
Doubles
Marianna & Francesca Barua, Gwynedd Mercy
Chrissy Stefanowicz & Bianca Pasqual, Mount St. Joe
Alex Hayes & Caroline Phillips, Villa Maria

A.A.C.A. Volleyball All-Stars

Mary Ellen Paul, St. Basil
Colleen Fedorowicz, St. Basil
Rachel Tollett, St. Basil
Michaela McCrudden, Mt. St. Joe
Patrice Mulhern, Mt. St. Joe
Carly Krill, Mt. St. Joe
Val Smith, Mt. St. Joe
Dana Kirk, Gwynedd Mercy
Dominique Marques, Gwynedd Mercy
Jamie Morgan, Gwynedd Mercy
Stacey Manthorpe, Merion Mercy
Katrina Pisch, Merion Mercy
Shelbey Manthorpe, Merion Mercy
Rebecca Bates, Villa Maria
Emily Tobia, Villa Maria

More to come ...

Congrats Bishop Shanahan

Congratulations to Bishop Shanahan's girls volleyball team that won the PIAA Class AAA state championship Nov. 14 for the first time in school history. They beat Allentown Central Catholic 3-0 at Central York High School. Emily Carlin was named tournament MVP.

To honor the champs, there will be an assembly this Friday, Nov. 21., at 8:30 a.m. at Shanahan.

Assistant athletic director Sandra Young said of the team, "They are truly women of virtue who love God, one another, Shanahan and volleyball."

Members of the team and coaches depicted in the photo are:
Back row: Coach Pat Rucker, Coach Michele Lott, Allison Lott, Head Coach Greg Ashman, Summer Jaros, Nicki Ruszkay, Natalie DiRitis, Allson Lott and Susan Frick
Middle row: Kristina Dale, Gabby Nagy, Cait Watson, Kelly Hutchison, Claire Keating, Amanda Nickels, Julie Joyce, Maria Ficca and Natalie Homyak.
Front row with trophy: Captains Katie Pisano, Emily Carlin and Grace Capuzzi.

Faith, Hope, Phils

The Phillies are set to play Game 6 of the World Series in almost 4 hours, and I'm already nauseous. But if any team can come back from a 3-1 deficit, it's the Phillies. So let's have faith in their talents. That's what got them here for a second time, afterall.

I'm sure God will hear tons of prayers tonight. Here's one to start with from Romans 12:12

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" and let's go fightin Phils!

Trust in God amid troubling times

The Archdiocese announced sad news yesterday -- the closing of Cardinal Dougherty and North Catholic High Schools. I know hearing their worst fear become a reality is hard for all the alumni, faculty, staff, current students and their families.

I know because I went through it myself at the grade school level at St. Callistus School in the Overbrook section of the city. I found out mid-way through my seventh grade year that the school was closing in June. Considering I started there in kindergarten and my mom and three siblings were grads, it was tough. Couldn't they keep the school open for one more year? My classmates and I were devastated.

So, we protested and rallied and prayed. But come June, the school still closed. This caused our class, the majority of us together since kindergarten, to break up and go our separate ways, along with the almost 200 other students.

Some friends made the move to the suburbs and the rest went to other neighborhood Catholic Schools. Most kids went to St. Donato. Not me though. I decided to go to St. Laurence in Upper Darby because I couldn't bring myself to attend a school that was our "rival!" Talk about stubborn.

Regardless of where we all ended up, it was a difficult transition to say the least. But after a couple months, we realized that what we learned and experienced at St. Callistus was a part of us -- and no person or school would ever take that away.

I'm sure the students at Dougherty and North are still coping with the heartbreaking news. But after some time, I'm sure they, too, will realize that regardless of where they go next year, North and Dougherty will always be a part of them that no one can take away.

Some may remain angry or sad or bitter for a long time. And this is where God comes in. He has a plan for all of us; we just have to trust Him.

Psalm 4:
"Answer when I call, my saving God.
in my troubles you cleared a way;
show me favor; hear my prayer...
Know that the Lord works wonders for the faithful;
the Lord hears when I call out.
Tremble and do not sin;
upon your beds ponder in silence.
Offer fitting sacrifice
and trust in the Lord."

New look for CS&T

Tomorrow's issue will debut a new look for the Catholic Standard & Times. After 17 years, the CS&T will have a new logo, new sections in the paper, new style of font and overall new layout. All this is the result of hard work by our graphic design team.

Many our readers have been subscribing to the paper for years. They're most likely comfortable with the current design and format and getting used to the new style may take a little time. Let's be honest, a lot of people don't like change.

To those who feel this way, I'll borrow a quote from Winston Churchill: "There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction."

I can confidently say that the changes made to the CS&T are definitely in the right direction. They meet the needs of changing times in the newspaper industry and give the paper more appeal aesthetically.

Of course, amid these changes, the mission of the paper will remain the same, to spread the Good News of Jesus and His gospel. With this as our ultimate goal, we hope the new design increases our readership and more people experience the Good News offered on the pages of the Catholic Standard & Times.