The Quakertown at Souderton girls’ basketball game on Friday night will be an SOL Featured Game, sponsored by Millennium Administrators. Check back for photos and a follow-up story.
By Mary Jane Souder
They’ve played together for just about as long as they can remember. They’ve rejoiced together after big wins and consoled each other after heartbreaking losses, but this year’s group of Souderton seniors is unique.
The team’s seniors have not only been the nucleus of the team for the past two years, they’ve also shared a life-shaping experience when longtime assistant coach Tom Welch lost his courageous battle with brain cancer last February.
The players and coaches alike rallied around Welch’s widow, Sue, and a bond was forged that will remain in tact long after the players and even coaches leave Souderton.
“During Tom’s last days in the hospital, he was so worried and agitated about ‘the Girls,’ and I promised him I would always take care of his Girls…not to worry,” Sue said. “He nodded his head and seemed to be at peace.
“It is only in looking back and reflecting on those last moments that I now realize what Tom was doing. He was more worried about me, and he knew if I promised to take care of the Girls that it would be the Girls that would take care of me.”
Those ‘Girls’ – seniors Hannah Bergey, Devon Boehm, Allison Gallagher, Katie O’Connor and Bianca Picard - will be playing their final regular season game together. Senior Hailey Kaunert – sidelined the past two seasons with torn ACLs but still a part of the team – will make a cameo start for the Indians.
“They’re six seniors that all have different stories coming through in four years,” coach Lynn Carroll. “All bring different positive things to the team on and off the court.
“All, in their own way, are a big reason why we got over the hump last season and we continued the success this year.”
Last year, the Indians won their first district playoff game in Carroll’s tenure at the helm.
“They were juniors when we had one of the greatest group of leaders we had as seniors,” Carroll said of Libby Wetzler and Courtney Day. “I think they just followed their lead in terms of what it means to work hard at keeping the team together.
“There are bumps along the road, and when those bumps occur, they really take on the responsibility to get us back on the right track. This group has been great at that. Not to mention that three of them – Katie, Bianca and Allison – really don’t come off the court for us unless they’re in foul trouble. Devon and Hannah share the fifth starting role responsibility, and both have given us great minutes this year. The six of them really seem to get along.”
After an 11-11 season two years ago, the Indians were 18-8 last year. They are 15-6 overall this year, and only a win on Friday over Quakertown separates the Indians from finishing in a tie for second place in the SOL Continental Conference.
“Obviously, there were games we could have won, but we played strong this year,” O’Connor said. “And it’s not over. Playoffs are still to come. We really know we’re going to have to prove ourselves in the playoffs, but it was an awesome season.”
Ask the seniors what they will remember most, and there is no mention of wins and losses.
“I’m definitely going to take with me all the memories our team has had together,” O’Connor said. “We’ve done community service and just hanging out together weekends after games.
“Since we’re together every single day for four months, we’ve really become close. We’ve made the best relationships with the coaches and the players. It’s really been fun.”
“We’re more than just teammates,” Bergey said. “We’re seriously like a family. We can always count on each other to pick each other up. If we’re having a problem, we can go to each other. I’m going to miss that.
“It’s definitely going to be sad – not seeing the girls every single day. We started playing basketball when we were seven on SHYBA travel. Through AAU and high school, seeing them every day and practicing – we all became so close. On Senior Night, it’s definitely going to hit our hearts that we’re not going to be with each other every day.”
There’s no mistaking the impact the passing of Welch had on the team.
“When we went through our tough times, everyone became immediately closer,” Boehm said. “You could definitely tell. Everyone was way more supportive – not that we weren’t before, but everyone was there for each other immediately.”
“I think the tough times made us realize how special each one of us are,” Bergey said. “We all have something to bring to the team, and coming together like that made us realize how lucky we are to have each other.”
Added O’Connor, “We’ve been through so much together, and just knowing you have each other to go to for help and advice, it makes us so much stronger and our relationship so much stronger.
“Everything we’ve been through – we’ve always helped each other and picked each other up the whole way through. I can’t imagine going through anything without them. I know I’ll always have my team to go to for anything.”
On Friday night, the Indians begin to say farewell to a special chapter in their lives.
“It’s really sad actually,” O’Connor said. “I don’t know what I’m going to do without it. This has been such a big part of my life.
“All of the girls – we’ve been playing together for years and years, and it’s honestly been the best experience. I couldn’t imagine my life without all of the girls and my coaches. It’s just been a great experience.”
For Carroll and her coaches, Friday’s Senior Night is an opportunity to say thanks to a special group.
“They have been wonderful to coach,” she said. “In every sense of the word, they’ve just been great as a group and as individuals.
“I’m looking forward to Friday, I’m looking forward to honoring them and making the night about them. They have been great role models for the younger kids. We’ve been very fortunate over the years that kids have stepped up and set the bar high for what it means to be a leader on this team, and this group has continued to do that.
“I always think that has a lasting impact. A couple of years from now when people don’t know who they are, it still will have an impact. It will impact the kids that are on the team now and beyond that. We’re going to hopefully make the season last as long as we can for them. We’re going to miss them an awful lot next year. They will leave big shoes to fill on and off the court.”
The coaches will not be the only ones who will miss this year’s seniors. Sue Welch had this to say about them.
“There have been many days where the silent grief and pain of loss can be overwhelming,” she said. “It has been especially difficult not having any family in the area. Many days I wondered if I would have the strength to rise up again without Tom by my side.
“To me, the Girls have been my hope, my joy, my encouragement and my family. It is with a heavy heart seeing Bianca, Allison, Devon, Katie, Hailey, Hannah and Bella play their final league game and leave the halls of Souderton.
“At the same time, my heart is filled with joy and pride knowing each of these Girls have incredible character to make this world a better place. I congratulate them, and I am grateful to the parents and (coaches) Lynn, Ben, Josh and Matt for you have prepared these young ladies well for life. You have shown them what the true spirit of team is, and while the wins and losses are important, it’s the journey along the way and how we care for others that is most important. I love you Girls, and you will all forever be in my heart.”
Just the facts:
This year’s record: Souderton 9-4 (15-6 overall)
Last year’s record: 18-8 (11-3 SOL Continental Conference)
Last meeting: Jan. 14, 2014 – Souderton 61, Quakertown 32 (Souderton: Allison Gallagher – 14 points, Bianca Picard – 13 points, Marissa Sandone – 9 points, Katie O’Connor – 7 points, Devon Boehm – 7 points; Quakertown – Ashlee Rizucka – 16 points)
Last game: Souderton 45, Central Bucks South 34 (Bianca Picard – 15 points, Allison Gallagher – 13 points, Sarah Derstein – 10 points)
Souderton Roster
#3 – Allison Gallagher, Senior Guard
#4 - Krista Schneider, Sophomore, Guard
#10 – Katie O’Connor, Senior, Guard
#12 – Olivia Kaunert, Sophomore Forward
#14 – Noelle Noble, Junior, Forward
#21 – Hannah Bergey, Senior, Guard
#23 – Marissa Sandone, Sophomore, Guard
#25 – Bianca Picard, Senior, Guard
#31 – Sarah Derstein, Junior, Forward
#33 – Devon Boehm, Senior, Guard/Forward
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