St Anthony Basketball
Basketball St. Anthony

Girls’ Basketball Preview: St. Anthony Saints

Photo by John Napalan/Art O’Neill

Last year was a tough one for the St. Anthony girls’ basketball team and head coach Ray Bennett, but this looks like a major bounceback campaign. The Saints finished 9-19 overall last season, fourth place in the Del Rey League. But talented returners and some major new talent have the Saints ranked in Division 2AA to open the season, with big hopes.

“Our goals for the season are high as always,” said Bennett. “But we’ll take things one possession at a time. We won’t be the biggest, strongest, or fastest team but we’re working to be the smartest.”

Leading the way for the Saints is senior guard Drew Sharp, a tough and electric talent who’s signed a scholarship with the Academy of Art University in the Bay.

“She’s improved her outside shooting to go with her ability to slash and create off the dribble,” said Bennett. “She will have a huge year.”

Hannah Bailey will have to guard opponents’ bigs, while Emily Perez will bring outside shooting and leadership. 

Among the talented newcomers are sisters Meghan and Bridgette McIntyre, who both shoot and bring poise. The other newcomers are senior Maya Montez and junior Jaya Shelby.

“Both are high activity players who bring leadership, solid work ethic and scoring,” said Bennett.

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Mike Guardabascio
An LBC native, Mike Guardabascio has been covering Long Beach sports professionally for 13 years, with his work published in dozens of Southern California magazines and newspapers. He's won numerous awards for his writing as well as the CIF Southern Section’s Champion For Character Award, and is the author of three books about Long Beach history.
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