NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA - The Archbishop Ryan girls’ and boys’ basketball teams both have high expectations heading into the upcoming 2017-18 Philadelphia Catholic League season. While you get to see the Ragdolls and Raiders display their skills on game day, here's a chance to find out a few fun facts about those players on the court!
The Ragdolls:
- The Ragdoll's favorite hang-out is at chick-fil-a.
- A pre-game ritual for senior forward Caela Russell is playfully slapping senior guard Annie Cashman lightly on the face.
- Cashman’s favorite pregame food is mac and cheese.
- The team's most memorable moment is beating Germantown Academy last year.
- Senior guard Madison Taylor, Russell, and Cashman’s favorite class is Mr. Southrey’s psychology class.
- The team's favorite song is “New York” by Frank Sinatra, Alicia Keys and Jay-Z.
- 2017-18 Season Goal: “My ultimate goal this season would be to make it to the Palestra,” said Russell. “I believe that out of all the other PCL teams, our team has the most potential. Unlike every other team, we did not lose any starters from last season. We had two junior transfers last year, Danielle (McCurdy) and myself, so last year was an adjustment year for all of us and we still had a fantastic season . Our team has gotten so close over the past year, so this season, if we really come together and play like a team, like I know we can, we’re going to be unstoppable.”
- The Ragdoll's favorite quotes from Head Coach Mike McCusker:
“Who doesn’t love practice on a Saturday?”
“Yeah buddy.”
*The Ragdolls kick-off their 2017-18 season against Bishop Shanahan at home this Friday at 5:30p.m. The team will play its first league game Thursday, December 14th at home against the Lady Crusaders of Lansdale Catholic.
Archbishop Ryan Ragdolls, 2016-17 Team Photo - Photo Courtesy of Archbishop Ryan
The Raiders:
- The Raider’s favorite restaurant is Santucci’s.
- Senior guard Brendan Scanlon’s favorite pregame snack is an iced coffee and wake up wrap from Dunkin Donuts.
- Scanlon’s favorite class is statistics with Mr. Lutz.
Archbishop Ryan Raiders - PSD file photo
#1 Archbishop Ryan junior guard, Amin Bryant - PSD file Photo by Kevin Murphy
- Senior guard Devon Vargas tells us that the team’s superstition is to do their warm ups exactly the same every game and have pasta parties before big games.
- The team’s favorite song is “Used to it” by Future.
- The team's most memorable moment was beating La Salle last year and going to the Palestra.
- 2017-18 Season Goal: “My goal for the season would be to lead my team back to the Palestra again and this time accomplish our goal of winning the championship,” said junior guard Amin Bryant.
- The Raider's favorite quotes from Head Coach Joe Zeglinski:
“Get on the line.”
“Every day matters.”
*The Raiders start their preseason action on December 9th against Boys Latin at home at 5:00p.m. The first 100 students to get there will be entered into a raffle for a 76ers prize package, which includes mid-court seats against the Spurs. Fans will also be selected from the stands to take a half-court shot with a chance to win a $100 Nike gift card. The Raider’s first PCL game is not until January, 2nd in a home battle against Cardinal O’Hara.
(Story written by Archbishop Ryan Jr. Reporter, Jackie Schaeffer. Students interested in becoming a PSD reporter for their school are asked to email phillysportsdigest@gmail.com for more information.)