Madison Heights

Bishop Foley girls basketball aims to have another successful season

By Mark Vest
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Andrew Potter Bishop Foley senior Emma Wonsil goes up for a shot during a recent scrimmage against Birmingham Seaholm. Wonsil is one of four seniors on the Ventures’ squad. Photo by Andrew Potter Bishop Foley senior Emma Wonsil goes up for a shot during a recent scrimmage against Birmingham Seaholm. Wonsil is one of four seniors on the Ventures’ squad.

Winning district championships has become somewhat of a tradition for the Bishop Foley girls basketball program.

The Ventures have accomplished that feat the last two seasons in a row, and five out of the last seven years.

Despite losing seven seniors from last year’s squad, coach Dave Joseph isn’t prepared to chalk this season up to one in which Foley will have to reload and take another crack at it next year. Joseph has high standards for the program, and he believes players understand what is expected of them when they suit up for the Ventures.

“They’re well aware of our history here,” he said. “This being my eighth year, the girls know what our goal is (and) what we want to shoot for. They want to continue that tradition.”

Although Foley has experienced a large turnover, the cupboard is not exactly bare. Emma Wonsil, Abigail Lama, Lauren Cross and Cyndi Claucherty, all seniors, return to the fold for Foley.

And although the Ventures have added six players to the roster who have no varsity experience, they were part of a JV squad that Joseph said went 17-1 last season. What it all adds up to is a lot of girls who have seen what winning basketball looks like, and Joseph is hoping there is more where that came from.

“Our primary goal is the Catholic League,” he said. “We want to win our division. We want to go deep in the Catholic League playoffs. Our third goal is to win a district and go as far as we can in the state tournament.”

If Foley is going to win a Catholic League title, it is going to do so in a different division, as the Ventures have been moved from the AA Division to the A-East.  Joseph is aware of the type of competition Foley is likely to face when league play begins.

“I think it’s going to be very competitive,” he said. “We came out of a competitive league last year, but we’re facing Our Lady of the Lakes from Waterford twice this year. They won the last three state titles.  (Cardinal) Mooney’s been in the top 10 the last three years. Shrine is our natural rival, and that’s always a tough game for us. Cranbrook is up and coming, and they’re always very solid. This is going to be a very tough and competitive league.”

Foley will be in action next on Nov. 29 at Southfield Christian.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mark Vest at mvest@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1112. Follow Mark on Twitter.