Lady Rams Basketball Stars Heading for College
.By Carey Shuman , The Lynn Journal, May 3rd, 2006 cary@lynnjoumal.com
They set the high standard by which all future
senior classes will be judged in the Lynn Classical girls basketball program.
Victories aside - and there were plenty of them during their four years in the
Rams’ program – the four seniors, Ashley Donovan, Meaghan Reddy, Manise
Louinord, and Irene Saranteas were, as Classical Principal Warren White said
Monday – the whole package, displaying excellence in academics, athletics, and
as school leaders,
“They’re quality people and they’re going to make quality contributions at
their colleges,” said White. “They were leaders at Lynn Classical – true
role models.”
Donovan, Reddy, Louinord, and Saranteas, helped Classical become a perennial
girls basketball powerhouse in the Northeastern Conference.
And now they’re preparing to continue their academic and athletic careers in
college. A look at where Classical’s Fab Four are headed this fall:
As a sophomore Ashley Donovan hit a 3-pointer as
that will forever have a place in Classical hoop annals. The clutch shot in the
final seconds of a showdown against Gloucester sent the game into overtime where
Classical prevailed. The Rams went on compile a 20-0 record and a berth in the
Division 1 North final against Andover.
Donovan, a starter on that memorable 2004 team that advanced to the Division 1
North final against Andover, will attend Quinnipiac University. She will join
former teammate Monique Lee at the school that is located in Hamden, Conn.
Donovan chose Quinnipiac over Simmons College. She was also accepted to
Northeastern, Salve Regina, and St. Lawrence. She received “wait list”
notification from Boston College.
“I really liked the campus. It was beautiful and it was more of a campus life
than Simmons,” said Donovan.
Donovan is considering a tryout for the Quinnipiac women’s basketball team
which plays in the Division 1 Northeast Conference. “I’m still thinking
about a tryout,” said Donovan, who will play summer league basketball.
“I truly believe that Ashley Donovan can be a walk-on and contribute to that
team,” said Gene Constantino. “You don’t really know good Ashley Donovan
is until you actually start to coach her every day and see her at practice.”
About her coach and guidance counselor, Gene Constantino, Donovan said,
“He’s been awesome through everything. He’s been my guidance counselor, my
coach, and my boss. My high school career really wouldn’t have been anything
without him.”
Meaghan Reddy could always be counted upon for a key
basket, a clutch rebound, or an important defensive play. Gene Constantino said
she was “a great captain and an outstanding kid.”
Reddy will study in the nursing program at Northeastern University. She was also
accepted to Simmons, Salve Regina, and UMass/Amherst and was on the waiting list
at Boston College.
“My choice came down to Simmons and Northeastern and for me, I was just
looking for a bigger school with more students,” said Reddy. “I’ll think
about trying out for the [Division 1 Northeastern] team as walk-on, but I’ll
maybe play intramurals.”
Northeastern is a great college and Meaghan is going to do very well there,”
said Constantino. “I think she’ll be a tremendous nurse.”
“Mr. Constantino is an awesome person,” said Reddy. “He just made high
school that much better. I’m going to miss the other seniors. They’re my
best friends, so I’m going to miss them.”
Manise Louinord developed into a college basketball
prospect in her senior year and Salem State College head coach Tim Shea became a
believer in her skills.
Louinord, who was hotly recruited by Salem State, will be wearing the Vikings’
colors next season. Louinord is joining a program that perennial ranked among
the best in New England.
“Manise has been talking to coach Shea since the beginning of the season,”
said Gene Constantino. “Halfway through her season, she made up her mind that
she wanted to go to Salem State.”
Louinord is excited about the opportunity to play college basketball.
“Whether I’m a starter will depend on how hard I work during the summer,”
said Louinord. “I have confidence that I’ll work hard and be able to play. I
know they’re one of the best Division 3 schools and they have one of the best
coaches – after Mr. Constantino.”
Louinord had also considered Regis College. She will major in nursing at Salem
State.
“Mr. Constantino is a great coach and he has one of the best assistant
coaches, coach Tom Sawyer, and I’m going to miss this team a lot,” said
Louinord. “As a freshman I never knew how to play basketball mentally, but
when I stepped on the court, Mr. Constantino had a lot of faith that I would
become a better basketball player. He helped me a lot.”
Irene Saranteas had to battle a serious back injury
in her final season but she showed her courage and leadership by returning to
the team and playing a key role in its success.
Saranteas, who led her team to the championship in the Harry Agganis Basketball
Tournament this past weekend, hopes to continue her basketball career at
Westfield State College.
“I’m going to try to play basketball – nothing’s definite yet,” said
Saranteas. “I’ve spoken to the Westfield coach [Andrea Bertini] about the
program.”
Constantino talked to Andrea Bertini last week.
“I’m so happy for Irene,” said Constantino. “Coach Bertini needs a post
player and if Irene’s back can hold up, I have all the confidence in the world
that she will be a contributor next year. Remember that prior to sustaining the
injury, she was our leading scorer and rebounder and on her way to becoming an
all-star.”
Saranteas received acceptances to eight colleges: Merrimack, Quinnipiac,
Emmanual, Sacred Heart, UNH, Salve Regina, Bridgewater State, and Westfield.
Saranteas echoed her teammates’ praise of head coach Gene Constantino. “Mr.
Constantino has been great since freshman year," said Saranteas. "He
made high school so much easier for us. This experience has been awesome because
of him.”