South Philly Review

Michaila Hatty, with the ball, and the Saints girls’ basketball dropped Tuesday’s Catholic League game to Archbishop Prendie, 56-30.

Photo by Amanda Thurlow

The Neumann-Goretti girls’ basketball team started strolling into the 10th and Moore streets gymnasium at about 3 p.m. Monday to catch the team bus to South Jersey.

Michaila Hatty was sitting back on the bleachers relaxing before the early evening tip. It’s something the 5-foot-11 forward is doing with a little more ease these days thanks to having that all-important college decision finalized. The resident of Front of Roseberry streets selected the Maryland based Washington College — a short two-hour commute via I-95. It’s where she’ll continue her basketball career, as well as major in biology to pursue her future path as a physical therapist.

“It takes off a lot of stress of thinking about where I am going to be next year,” the 18-year-old said.

She selected the Division III school over Pennsylvania based Gwynedd-Mercy College — where former teammate Allison Nelson now plays — and New Jersey’s Centenary College.

“The thing that won me over was the coaching staff,” Hatty said of Washington. “They seemed really passionate about their jobs.”

The campus also offers a perfect-distance scenario of being away from the city, but not too far away.

“I will still play some games close to home, so my family can all come out and see me play,” she said.

Neumann-Goretti girls’ basketball coach Chip Reitano said the school is a good fit for his three-year starter.

“I think their style of play suits her,” Reitano said. “She can play the three or the four like she does for us.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for her. It’s always a proud moment for me to see one of my players go on to be recognized for their hard work over their four years at Neumann-Goretti.”

The coach enjoys keeping tabs on all his former athletes, including current Division I players Jasmine Daniels (Bethune-Cookman) and Shante Cummings (Coppin State). Ashley White (Tallahassee College) and Gloria Brown (Trinity College) are both on the junior college scene. Deanna Tropea is a little closer to home at Division III Immaculata University.

Hatty is looking to follow in their footsteps by helping her Saints qualify for the playoffs. The task is far from an easy one, as the Saints entered the week 1-7 in Catholic League play. The squad’s lone victory came Jan. 7 over Kennedy-Kenrick.

“Our season is definitely not going as planned right now,” she said. “We just have to play together for four quarters and we’ll be fine.

“We’re playing hard and that’s really all we can do.”

For Hatty, the Jan. 16 45-42 win over New York’s St. Dominic’s was a highlight as her three-pointer with 2:16 remaining gave her team the lead. She plans to continue doing whatever her team needs.

Of course, part of her can’t help thinking about the bright future ahead.

“I am happy I can go on,” Hatty said of playing college ball. “What I got taught here has helped me to play at the next level.”