Ursuline's champions celebrated

YOUNGSTOWN -- Parents and students lifted their voices in cheers in the small gymnasium at Ursuline High School on the city's North Side.
Monday at 2 p.m. sharp, the high school band thundered out the notes to the school's fight song as the varsity girls basketball team ran into the gym carrying their newly acquired Division III state championship trophy.
The Fighting Irish won the trophy with a 66-52 victory against Oak Hill on March 20 in Columbus.
At the championship celebration, team members presented that trophy to school principal Patricia Fleming.
The event began with the Rev. Richard Murphy, the school's chaplain and associate principal, lauding the girls.
"After Columbus," Father Murphy said, "there was only one team left standing. And that team was the Fighting Irish! Our champions!"
Guest celebrants
The crowd erupted into cheers again and gave the team a standing ovation before Father Murphy continued by introducing the special guests who came to the celebration.
Among those present was Youngstown City Prosecutor John McNally, a 1987 Ursuline grad, and Pat Lowry, who came on behalf of U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th.
Lowry brought a proclamation from Ryan marking Monday as a day of celebration at Ursuline.
In return, Murphy presented both Lowry and Ryan with shirts that commemorated the girls' win in Columbus.
The rally continued with some words from coach Sean Durkin.
"This has been a long trip," Durkin said.
"We've had our times of jubilation and despair, but it makes me happy when I've seen all that we have done.
"Our school doesn't have the advantages some of the other area schools have," Durkin said.
"These girls haven't known each other since grade school, and we don't have the numbers or the funding of some of the other area schools. These girls came together through it all, and I'm very proud of them."
Father Murphy reinforced Durkin's statement.
Model behavior
"This team had the sportsmanship, attitude, courage, and stick-to-it-iveness that should be the model behavior of all athletes. I call upon all Ursuline High athletes to be like this team you see before you," Father Murphy said.
Fleming was ecstatic with her praise of the team.
"I knew you had it in you, but I never imagined we would go all the way," Fleming said to the team.
"I'm very excited. I have great gratitude for you all. Great gratitude. All of your hard work paid off. You're all fabulous young women. Thank you."
The champions finished the season with 26-2 record. It was the high school girls basketball team's first state title.