Prendergast’s Stewart honored

Susan Stewart, wife of Archbishop Prendergast girls' basketball coach Tom Stewart, knew that her husband had more than 400 victories in a coaching career that included 19 years at the now-shuttered, all-boys St. James and another 19 at Prendie. She just wasn't sure how many over 400.

Unfortunately, records from St. James were a bit sketchy. But she felt that Tom shouldn't go unrecognized for that 400 milestone - no matter when it occurred.

"Others reach that milestone and they are recognized," she said.

So she put together a surprise celebration for Tom before the Pandas' Catholic League game against Archbishop Carroll Friday night.

Several of his former players including Donnie Dodds from St. James and Stephanie Graff from Prendergast were on hand to pay tribute to him.

"I'm not one for the limelight," the 64-year-old Stewart said. "This was all my wife. It was all very nice. I am honored. I think I may have around 330 victories."

Although the Pandas (14-2) lost to Carroll, 49-32, they presented Stewart with another big victory Sunday by upsetting Mount St. Joseph, ranked No. 3 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, in the Hoops for Hope Classic at Lower Merion.

"He sure knows his stuff," said Graff, now an assistant coach at St. Joseph's University, in paying tribute to Stewart. "He always looks after his players - on and off the court."

Wassell hits 1,000. Shea Wassel was at the top of the foul circle when she took a pass from Lansdale Catholic teammate Kate Greenhalgh Thursday night. She turned and drove to the basket for a layup, giving her 1,000 points for her high school career Thursday night in a 65-43 win over Hallahan.

The 5-foot-8 senior needed six points going into the game to reach the milestone.

More than 20 of Wassel's extended family members were on hand for the event. The game was halted to observe the moment.

"It took over five minutes," said Wassell, who was immediately ready to continue the game. "They overdid it, but it was awesome.

"I figured I'd be nervous before the game, but I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would [be]."

She finished the game with 15 points.

No breathers ahead. Don't think the season gets any easier for Cardinal O'Hara, which fell to Archbishop Wood, the No. 1 team in The Inquirer's Southeastern Pennsylvania weekly Top 10, on Friday night.

The No. 7-ranked Lions (12-3) were scheduled to play highly regarded Sanford of Delaware on Sunday in the Hoops for Hope Classic at Lower Merion before facing Catholic League rival Archbishop Carroll on Tuesday, No. 2 ranked Germantown Academy on Friday, and Villa Maria Academy of Erie on Sunday.

"We played hard against Wood," said Lions coach Linus McGinty. "They are so good. They are smart and take advantage of every mistake you make. They're aggressive, and they have eight very, very good players."

Despite the Lions' 45-32 loss, McGinty said he hoped his team learned from the Lions' it.

"It could prove beneficial as we come to the end of the season and playoffs," he said.

Patriots a Fab 50. Germantown Academy remains the lone Pennsylvania team in the weekly Powerade Fab 50 ratings. The 13-2 Patriots are ranked 28th, one above perennial power Christ the King of New York.

The Patriots' two losses were to Good Counsel of Olney, Md., ranked 47th in the Fab 50; and Oakton (Va.), which, surprisingly, is not ranked.

Germantown Academy, ranked No. 2 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, is seeking its 13th straight Inter-Academic League championship. It has already passed three big tests in the league, beating Penn Charter, Springside, and Notre Dame handily in the first round of league play.

Cardinal O'Hara, ranked No. 7 by The Inquirer, and St. John Vianney of New Jersey appear to be the toughest nonleague opponents left on the Patriots' schedule in the regular season. The Patriots are the defending Pennsylvania Independent Schools Tournament champions.