It’s the last practice of the season at the John Long center before Scranton heads South to the NCAA division 3 final four.
The Lady Royals are 31-0 for the first time ever when they have reached this point and the magnitude of the moment is not lost.
Kace Kranson, Scranton Senior(Holy Cross) says, “ I think it’s starting to set in, you know, starting today. Like we said before, this is Kaeli, Jenna and I was last time, you know, practicing in the John Long center so it’s a little bittersweet. We’re going to take it all in during this hour and a half of practice. Give it all that we have and just get prepared for this week.
Ben O’Brien, Scranton Coach added, “ I think it’s just a matter of, you know, not being satisfied to get to this point, but but going down there to win two more games. Keep playing the way we’re playing. Keep approaching the games the way we have all season. This team has been, you know, incredibly dominant really the whole year. So, we’re super excited about this opportunity. “
One player who will be talked about as one of the best ever to put on a Lady Royals uniform is Kranson. The Holy Cross product has a career average of over 25 points per game. And if she scores 13 points in her next game, she will reach 2000 for her career.
Kranson says,”I came here to play softball and ended up playing basketball. A little switch up, but this experience has been an unforgettable one. I’m just very grateful to be a part of this university. On the basketball team, I met so many great girls, and so many great coaches. So it’s just unforgettable and I’m very grateful.”
O’Brien added,”Yeah. Sometimes your best players come to you in the most unusual ways.
And certainly, that’s the case with Kaci, but without a doubt, she’s one of the greatest players to ever play here. And I think she’s ready to finish her career on a really high note.”
To win their first national championship since 1985 Scranton knew at some point they would have to play NYU. The two time National champs have own 90 straight games and the Lady Royals are just 2-4 against them But this team is playing with a lot of confidence.
Katie Gorski, Scranton Junior says, “ Any team we play like it’s a national championship. We’re playing games in November like it’s a national championship. So, it’s awesome to play against NYU. Such great competition, a great historic program. And so, we’re really excited to get that competition as we’ve been getting in the NCAA tournament these past couple of weeks. So, it’s another great opportunity to play with such an amazing team. And we’re just really excited. “
If Scranton is to upset NYU it will have to be with their furious defense and playing their game.
O’Brien, says “ We’ve been looking for another opportunity for two years. So now we put ourselves in a position to, to get that opportunity. So we’re excited about it. I mean, we’re just going to go play our game, defend really, really hard, play unselfish on offense. And I think we have a we have a good chance. “