Gloucester Catholic's Gedaka, daughter: One last tourney

Senior night Wednesday at Gloucester Catholic was emotional for Lisa Gedaka, maybe more than any of the previous 26 for the highly accomplished head basketball coach.

The final senior introduced really hit home. That happened to be her daughter, Mary Gedaka, one of the top players in the state, who like her mother will be attending Villanova.

Of course, neither allowed the emotion of the evening to overwhelm her. It was business as usual. Final score: Gloucester Catholic 65, Clearview 27.

When next week starts, the real emotion will hit home because every game could be the Rams' last as they make what should be a spirited bid while playing in that always treacherous bracket - South Jersey Non-Public A.

Gloucester Catholic, which took a 24-1 record into Friday's game against Pennsville, has been to the sectional final three straight years, which in itself is quite an accomplishment. Each time the Rams were beaten by a more highly regarded opponent.

This year, getting there, let alone winning it, will again be a challenge, but this is what Lisa Gedaka and her players signed up for.

The Rams might be The Inquirer's No. 1 team in South Jersey, but they are seeded No. 3 in South Non-Public A. It's likely that the Rams would have to meet The Inquirer's No. 4 team, Camden Catholic, just for the right of playing in the final.

And likely to be awaiting that winner is defending state champion St. John Vianney, the No. 1 team in the state, according to NJ.com.

"We know [Non-Public] A is the best group," Lisa Gedaka said. "We will be ready for the challenge and whatever happens, happens."

Whenever that final game does happen, it will be an emotional moment that trumps senior night. Yet the coach and her players are just savoring this time together, confident in making another run.

Still, as exhilarating as it is to win, the real essence of high school sports is the process. For Gloucester Catholic, that sometimes meant 6 a.m. practices so the team could get more gym time.

"The kids never batted an eye when we had to practice that early, and kept working hard," Lisa Gedaka said.

And they work hard because they love both the game and one another. Those bonds develop over four years of high school.

"The most difficult part of the process will be leaving unbelievable teammates I played with the last four years and also not being able to be coached by my coaches, especially my mom," Mary Gedaka said.

Mary Gedaka is best friends with senior point guard Maggie McIntyre, a Niagara recruit and supplier of boundless energy and talent. Like her teammates, she is looking forward to competing in the one-and-done state tournament, a true test of survival.

"Going through this experience with your best friends, there is nothing like it," McIntyre said.

Regardless of when that last game is, and whether the final one is a victory or defeat, there is something that the players will take away - lifelong memories.

No doubt, Lisa Gedaka still has the same fire to win as when she was 22 and just starting out as a coach. The difference is that with the years comes perspective.

"For me it's about being a good role model and when they leave they still love the game of basketball," she said. "Each of these kids know it goes beyond basketball for me."

Well beyond.

"They know they are part of my family forever," the coach said.

And beginning next week this family will scratch, claw, figuratively fight and do whatever it takes to make this memorable experience of competing together last as long as humanly possible.

mnarducci@phillynews.com

@sjnard