The following article is sponsored by KMRD Partners, Inc., Risk & Insurance Solutions, on behalf of the Central Bucks South girls’ basketball team by. To learn more about KMRD Partners, visit the web site at the following link: http://kmrdpartners.com/
By Mary Jane Souder
Practice has just ended for the Central Bucks South girls’ basketball team. Less than 24 hours separates the Titans from their District One AAAA opener against Haverford. The mood is decidedly upbeat and the atmosphere relaxed.
As Tricia DeCesare is leaving the gym, she turns around to her teammates and says, “See you in 20 minutes.”
There’s nothing especially significant about that exchange except that it underscores the fact that these players do not spend a whole lot of time apart. Even when they’re not on the basketball court. Friday’s plans include dinner and then a trip to the boys’ district game at Pennridge.
“Social and basketball sort of blends together,” senior Courtney Dietzel said.
And that camaraderie – they insist – is not just lip service.
“I think what is really special about our team is that we’re all friends with each other,” Taylor Dunn said. “The younger girls talk to us about stuff outside of basketball, and we have that bond. We’re going to be friends when we leave high school, and when we come back and visit, we’re all going to be friends.”
Alexa Brodie – the lone freshman on this year’s squad – had some concerns joining the team as a rookie, but those concerns were quickly alleviated.
“Coming into the season, I was just skeptical – how was I going to fit in, how were they going to treat me being the one freshman,” she said. “All the words that came out of their mouths were all words of encouragement.
“They always have my back. Something as simple as just a pat on the back when I miss a shot or ‘keep shooting,’ they’ve always been there for me, and it was just really great. It boosted my confidence a ton coming into the season.
“Even just getting my number and texting me all the time. There are times when I get texts from Jordan (Vitelli) or someone else just to go shoot at LA Fitness. It just means a ton to me knowing they want to hang out with me.”
It’s the kind of inclusive behavior this year’s seniors say they observed when they were newcomers to the program.
“Coming in as freshmen, the seniors were very welcoming, and I think as seniors and even juniors – we definitely wanted to make sure the freshmen felt comfortable coming in on day one and they were never shy to talk to us, to ask questions, and we just wanted practices and open gyms to be a friendly environment where everyone felt comfortable,” Vitelli said.
“Everyone comes in scared of the big seniors,” Dunn added. “But I honestly still talk to the seniors that I played with when I was a sophomore – Lauren Mosher and Alysha Lofton. We’re still such good friends.
“When we became seniors, we wanted to have that impact on the girls that were younger.”
That inclusive theme extends beyond the court.
“If something is going on at home, we can all count on each other to talk through the situation,” DeCesare said. “People will give great advice, especially the seniors talking to the freshmen or sophomores.
“If they’re upset about something, we all try to talk each other through it and make sure everything is okay.”
It starts with the seniors
Beth Mattern credits the team’s five seniors – DeCesare, Dietzel, Dunn, Chloe Entenberg and Vitelli - for setting the tone and creating an environment that is enjoyable for players and coaches alike.
“It’s really hard to put into words what they’ve meant,” the Titans’ coach said. “In four years, I can’t think of a practice they have missed, very few open gyms and summer leagues.
“Most importantly, they make everyone feel a part of the team and do a lot to encourage everyone to be better or really their best. They are leaders on the court. They have done so many intangibles that make our program function at a high level.”
Mattern goes on to recall the first day of CB South Girls Basketball Camp last June.
“Monday morning is always kind of hectic,” the Titans’ coach said. “People are signing up, checking in.
“All of a sudden I hear a whistle blow and camp is starting. I’m still in the lobby because it’s not much past nine o’clock, and I’m still finishing the paperwork as the final people are entering. I peek in the gym, and my seniors have them lined up, ready to start stretching, going over rules and procedures.
“They really took ownership of the camp. I think that’s kind of what they’ve done this season. When something needs to happen, they do it.”
The seniors once again credit those who went before them for paving the way.
“I remember when I was a freshman and I would come in and all the seniors were running everything,” Entenberg said. “I was thinking about when I was going to be a senior and how I wanted to be able to take that leadership and impact the little kids the way the seniors did then and have the confidence to teach them everything I’ve been taught. We all know the routine.”
Camp, according to the players, is just plain fun.
“We are all eager to begin camp the first day,” Vitelli said. “We want to be there.”
“We all get our own teams, and it’s competitive for us,” Dunn said.
“It’s my favorite,” Entenberg said. “I’m probably going to come back next year.”
Dietzel – bound for Drexel University on a lacrosse scholarship –is a year-round lacrosse player, but she looks forward to working at the camp and admits she couldn’t walk away from basketball.
“It’s a lot of fun because you get new skills, you get to hang out with new people,” she said. “It’s a new environment.
“You kind of need to take a break when you’re playing lacrosse all the time just to have a different type of game. I would never leave basketball because I just love the girls so much. It is so much fun to have that break.”
A special balancing act
Each of the five seniors assumes a unique role on this year’s squad, and each is equally important.
“As a group, the five of them really balance each other out on and off the court,” Mattern said.
The Titans’ coach describes Vitelli, who has been a part of the varsity since her freshman year, as the lead communicator for everyone on the team.
“If someone is hurt, Jordan goes to the trainer with them,” Mattern said. “If someone lost something, she helps them find it.
“If the team has a question that no one wants to ask me, Jordan will ask. These actions resemble what she does on the court for us – she’s willing to do whatever it takes to help the team get the ‘W.’”
Entenberg is the on-the-court communicator.
“Our defense really starts with her,” Mattern said. “She is our Energizer bunny who can ramp up our defensive intensity with a five-second count.
“Chloe has a very high basketball IQ and is always helping the girls understand or remember a set on the court. Taylor Dunn nicknamed her my ‘right hand’ for a reason.”
Vitelli, Entenberg and Dunn have been key contributors on the varsity since their sophomore year.
“Taylor is a quiet leader,” Mattern said. “She has led by her work ethic in the gym.
“Taylor and Tricia (DeCesare) are in the gym shooting before and/or after practice.
“They both try to set a standard for the effort the girls put into the program. Taylor also is quite funny and does a great job with one liners - at appropriate times – during practice.”
DeCesare, a threat to burn teams from the outside off the bench, is one of the first players to arrive and the last ones to leave.
“She is one that stays to shoot, and it really shows her work ethic,” Mattern said. “She probably has the most personality of anyone of the team and is someone who everyone loves. She has a great sense of humor.”
Dietzel brings superior athletic talent to the court.
“When we’re working with our trainer Andrew at Nex Level Fitness, she’s the lead dog,” Mattern said. “Her footwork, her athletic ability is always on point.
“She just goes out, has fun and plays basketball. Her main sport is lacrosse, so she just comes in and is like ‘let’s do this’ and plays hard.”
Basketball junkies at heart
The seniors, according to their coach, can’t get enough basketball.
“They would go watch a game every night of the week if they could,” Mattern said. “They pick games to watch where their friends are playing or upcoming opponents.”
Many of their opponents are also their friends from the AAU circuit.
“When we go to North Penn, we’ll stand and talk to Mikaela (Giuliani), Jess (Huber) and Irisa (Ye),” Vitelli said. “We’ll go to CB West and talk to Makenzie Mason and East we know Kyra (Scaliti).
“It’s a big basketball connection. I think basketball brings everyone together.”
“Every game you go to you’re playing against your friends,” Entenberg said.
Dunn added, “The people that I play basketball with are some of the best people I’ve ever met.”
Entenberg looked around the circle at her fellow seniors.
“These are literally my best friends,” she said. “The five of us – outside of basketball, inside of basketball – are all best friends. I’ve had most of my laughs in basketball.”
The fact that their final high school season is winding down marks only the end of their days together on the court.
“We’re just trying to make the most of every day and enjoy it while we can,” Dunn said. “Obviously, when it’s over, it will be sad, but we’re not going to lose our friendships. I’m not worried about that.”
Entenberg and DeCesare will be suitemates at Temple University next year. If they ever want to play a pickup game, Dietzel will be right down the road at Drexel.
“I have enjoyed coaching all the players that have come through the program over the nine years that I have been the head coach at CB South,” Mattern said. “Sometimes a group comes through that is just special. These seniors are that group.
“They have set such a high standard for those that come after them. I pray the underclassmen have paid attention.”
At least one underclassman has been watching closely this year.
“I know how nervous I was coming into the season, so as I get older and the incoming freshmen come onto the team, that’s how I want to treat them,” Brodie said. “I want to make them feel like family just like they did for me.”
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