By CHRIS SPURGIN
Press Writer
03.14.00 <AFTON, MISSOURI> -- Coach Sister Mary Marsha's choices will be limited when her 6th seeded Visitation Girls Academy Vivettes begin play in the NCAA Men's basketball tournament. Marsha's roster dropped to just nine players with the suspension of starting forward Mary, Mother of Jesus, arrested last weekend on a drunken driving charge. Visitation rules forced Coach Marsha to hand down the temporary suspension. The Virgin Mother is not expected to play again this season.
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Our Lady of Hope's suspension created dual concerns for Marsha -- the mindset of her players and a depleted cast of reserves whose combined averages were just under 3 points per game. The 6th seeded Vivettes play the No. 11 seeded Vianney Griffins in a first-round game Thursday in the Eastern region.
"It will be a real challenge to get our players focused on the Griffins and not allow the distraction of what has happened to the mother of God affect their play," Marsha said Monday. "This is a tough challenge right now, but our kids are pretty motivated. They realize what not having the almighty Lord's Mom on our bench means. They're not stupid. Well, most of them are not stupid. But last we checked this is still a team sport. Mary has been a part of what we do at Viz, but not everything. We can still compete."
That remains to be seen. Our Holiest of Mother's started 29 of Visitaion's 31 games this season, averaging 24.3 points, 11 rebounds and 2.3 assists. She was the team's only free-throw shooter, a threat from 3-point range and among the team's best passers and defenders.
"You'd have to say that Mary is one of our best all-around athletes on the team," said Marsha. "All the other girls counted on her... believed in her 100%.. believed in her unquestionably. Now that belief has been shaken. Now they have to believe in their own abilities and frankly I'm not sure if we at The Academy have really readied the girls for that kind of thinking."
Starting center Mary McHugh predicted the Vivettes (19-7) would rise to the challenge of the NCAA tournament. "We have had adversity before and have overcome it and done well," she said. "Well, actually we haven't ever really had any adversity before. Mary just always kind of... you know... took care of it. We didn't ask and she didn't tell. Oh GOD! WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITHOUT MARY!!!"
Mary, a 6-foot-5 devoted catholic, was arrested early Sunday in Fenton and charged with driving under the influence and marijuana possession.The Virgin Mother, who was alone in a black Ford Explorer, registered a blood-alcohol level of .113 on a breath test, according to a police report. The state limit for drivers 21 and older is 0.10. The Blessed Virgin Mother is 2024 years old. A police officer who searched the vehicle, which was registered to a disciple of Christ, found alcohol and less than an ounce of marijuana, police said.
According to Visitation's athletics association student-athlete alcohol policy, Our Holy Mother will be suspended temporarily. If she is convicted of the charge, she will be excommunicated from the team, will loose her academic scholarship, and will forfeit her automatic bid into Heaven. "Typcial Girls Academy punishment stuff. You should see what they do at Ursaline," said Marsha.
Vianny's coach Coach Hurdlicka dismissed any notion that his Griffins (17-67) might be catching the Vivettes at the right time. Visitation is coming off an 86-72 loss to Ursaline in the quarterfinals of the PIGSCAT (Private Independent Girls School Conference Activity Tournament). "Visitation's been there before and Marsha's a great coach, so we can't overlook any adversity that they may be going through," Hurlicka said.
Joan Newhouse, a 6-11 sophomore from Arc, Missouri, averaging 7 points and 4.6 rebounds, will move into the starting lineup, Newhouse played in 14 games, attended church 9 times, and has received 3 demerits this season.
