By: Mark Zimmaro
(photos/video Mark Zimmaro
PHILADELPHIA - St. Hubert High School’s proud basketball history runs deep.
The girls-only Philadelphia Catholic school was planted 80 years ago on Torresdale Avenue and the Bambies have spent their fair amount of time in the basketball spotlight, winning a pair of Philadelphia Catholic League championships by past generations. In 1965 and 1981, St. Hubert stood at the top of the mountain as league champs and the Bambies vowed never to forget their history.
On Jan. 20, the school brought back members of the ’81 team back into the gymnasium to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the program’s last championship — a long overdue honor for pioneers of the program. Former players’ names were announced, hugs were shared, and a new banner was unveiled prior to the 2022 team taking the floor against PCL rival West Catholic.
“It’s only two teams that have ever won it,” said Gina Tobin, who was one of the main scorers on the championship team from ’81. “It’s 1965 and our year, so it’s really an honor.”
Members of the 1981 PCL Basketball Championship team along with the current 2022 team members pictured with banner in honor of their 40th Anniversary. (Photo/Mark Zimmaro)
Tobin might have been in attendance anyway as her cousin Mia is a junior guard on the current St. Hubert basketball team.
“It was definitely cool,” Mia said of the ceremony. “I know she was a very good player and my dad was here recording it the whole time.”
Gina Tobin’s contributions to the 1981 team are well-documented. A senior, she scored 14 points against Bishop McDevitt as the Bambies won, 47-44, in the Northern Division Final to reach the PCL championship.
St. Hubert then took on a strong Archbishop Carroll team at St. Joseph’s University and won the championship game, 66-40. Kathy Razler scored a game-high 27 points and collected 14 rebounds, Ronnie Smythe contributed a double-double with a dozen points and rebounds, and Tobin added nine points, six rebounds and five assists before the final celebration.
Razler and Smythe joined Tobin at the 40th anniversary ceremony along with teammates Cathy Ford and Joanne Skodzinski and team manager Diane Gerace. They shared memories about their teammates who couldn’t be there, like Kathy Cahill, Marita Barber, Tricia McCusker, Amy Weslowski, Bobbi Everling, Katie McGinty and Anne Beisel. The 1981 team is considered the benchmark for present and future teams at St. Hubert, going 14-0 in the PCL Northern Division and 25-2 overall in a magical season.
“We’re trying to restore the program to what it was back in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s,” said Bambies coach Dave Schafer. “We thought the best way to do that is honor the people that took the program to the top. And the ‘65 team was put into the Hubert’s Hall of Fame. So, we figured, it’s 40 years for the ’81 team so let’s honor them.”
St. Hubert has had a resurgence the last few years, going 10-0 in the PCL Blue Division last year. This year’s version plays strong defense and grinds out baskets, despite not having huge numbers on the team.
St. Hubert's Honor Their 1981 Philadelphia Catholic League Champions as Mark Zimmaro reports Bambies' Pride runs deep
“It’s sad to see only a few girls on the team (now) as opposed to back in the day when we had to have cuts because there were so many girls,” Gina Tobin said. “Now, not as many come out for the team. St. Hubert’s was always very good with lots of talent in basketball and it was a wonderful school to go to.”
Schafer is hoping to restore the reputation.
“When we spoke to these ladies beforehand, we told them this is to honor you for what you’ve done for St. Hubert,” he said. “And we want to pay you back and we want you to know that sometime in the future, we are going to repeat this legacy. It’s the idea of keeping the pride in the program and bringing people back that had established it in the beginning.”
And continuing those traditions, whether the last names change or not.
“I’m here to see my cousin play,” Gina Tobin said of Mia. “She’s a big defensive stopper but maybe her offense will turn it on tonight too.”
It did. With the Bambies trailing West Catholic by four in the second half, Tobin drove the lane and scored a huge bucket to start the rally. St. Hubert pulled out a 47-45 victory over a fast and tenacious West Catholic team.
Whenever Mia Tobin needs motivation, she can simply look up at the banner her cousin has celebrated for more than 40 years.
“It’s really special,” Mia said. “Because it gives me a push to be like that or try and go as far as they did.