Gloria Brown capped off her high school career as Southern Division MVP and McDonald's All-American finalist. Next stop is NC State.
Gloria Brown leaves Neumann- Goretti with school records in points, rebounds and blocked shots.
It could be a long time before an athlete like Gloria Brown walks through the hallways of 10th and Moore streets again.
The 6-foot-2 center graduated from Neumann-Goretti with more than 1,800 points, 1,200 rebounds and 400 blocks -- all of which are school records. The standout numbers earned Brown plenty of recognition during the 2006-07 season, where she was a McDonald's All-American finalist, First Team All-Catholic selection and Southern Division MVP. The Saints basketball program reaped the rewards with three straight postseason appearances and a share of this year's Southern Division regular-season crown.
These accomplishments make Brown stand out as the 2007 Female Athlete of the Year.
"I didn't expect to accomplish everything I did," Brown, of 18th and McKean streets, said. "It was fun while it lasted. I wish I could go back to it now."
Instead, she'll be getting acquainted with a new group of teammates as a member of the North Carolina State University women's basketball team. Brown heads south this week for summer classes and training -- a commitment that requires running several miles a week.
The Atlantic Coast Conference is about as big as it gets when it comes to Division I basketball, with Duke, North Carolina and Maryland being just a few of the opponents.
If Brown performs like she did in her three seasons at Neumann-Goretti (freshman year was spent at Bok Tech), being an impact player won't be a problem. The squad made three Catholic League playoff appearances, highlighted by the 2006 championship game. The only thing missing is that coveted league crown.
"We were kind of disappointed because we wanted to win the whole thing," Brown said. "We worked hard and just fell short."
Coach Chip Reitano isn't looking forward to filling the void left by the graduation of his star athlete, who he considers one of the best to ever come through the program.
"She is a rare player, especially here for the girls of [Neumann-Goretti]," Reitano said. "She is as close as you're ever going to come to what June Olkowski [class of 1978] accomplished here. The only thing that Gloria didn't do that June did was win a title.
"June will forever go down as the greatest player to ever play here. Putting Gloria in the same company with her, I am glad I was here to see that."
Olkowski put Goretti basketball on the map, leading the Lambs to Catholic League championships in '76 and '78, which were the only crowns ever won at the all-girl school. Olkowski's No. 45 is retired and Browns' No. 20 could soon join it on the walls of the Neumann-Goretti gym.
With seven Catholic League championships in the last 13 campaigns, the boys’ basketball team at Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School, 1736 S. 10th St., has become a producer of local legends. The East Passyunk Crossing institution has accommodated college hoops fans, too, as it has sent numerous players to happy campuses.
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