At St. Patrick School, we believe that athletic participation serves as an important part of a child's education.  There is a wealth of wisdom to be learned that is unique to the athletic arena or playing field.  That's why we encourage all students to participate in athletic activities when and where possible.

From The Coach:

      This coming year will mark the eighteenth or nineteenth consecutive year that I have coached basketball in the Youngstown Diocese.  I have coached boys and girls basketball at St. Pat’s and I have coached girls’ basketball at Ursuline High School.

      I believe that the girls who participate should have fun, they should understand the importance of teamwork and they should know the feeling of pride that comes from doing a good job and representing their school in a positive manner.  It really is that simple and those are my goals.

      Striving to do our best and to win is important.  But it is equally meaningful to teach the girls that the actual outcome (winning or losing) is not as serious as working hard, being prepared and giving your best effort.  In the words of Vince Lombardi. . . ”The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure.  These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur.”

      I encourage all of the girls in the 7th and 8th grade to consider becoming a part of our girls basketball team.  We usually start conditioning and open gym around the 20th of October.  Participating in basketball will give the girls on-going physical activity during the winter months, when it is difficult to always get enough exercise.  And the girls will have the opportunity to develop new friendships, outside of the classroom.  And if you ask girls from our past teams, I think you will find that they did have fun.

      Conditioning begins the in early November with the season ending in mid to late February.  Tournaments begin in March.  Games are played in St. Patrick School gym as well as other parochial school gyms in the M.T.C.C. (Mahoning, Trumbull Catholic Conference).  More advanced tactics in offensive and defensive skills, rebounding, shooting, and ballhandling are introduced.  Practices are held in the Parish Center.

Thank you.  I look forward to another positive season of St. Pat’s Girls’ Basketball.