State College, Pa., Dec. 28, 2002 --

Just as everybody on the State College team had a part in a 68-41 win over Latrobe in the consis of the Kiwanis Holiday Tournament, the entire State College community will help the Lady Little Lion program celebrate its 500th win.

State College Mayor Bill Welch read a proclamation after the game recognizing the milestone victory and designating Tuesday, December 31, 2002 State College Girls' Basketball Day in the borough.

"That was extremely nice to be part of something like that," coach Bethany Irwin said. "I feel very fortunate to work with State College and be involved with such great kids."

The Lions made certain this would be a special day with 10 players in the scoring column and four in double figures. Suzy Carlson led the way with 13 points followed by Sarah O'Shea and Katlyn Stupar each with 12 points and Nicole Scipione with 10 points.

Carlson scored all but two of her points in the first period when the Lions led 25-10.

O'Shea, who had six points in the opening quarter, added two threes in the second stanza as State College moved ahead 41-22.

Stupar's nine points were the main story in the third quarter as well as the State College defense holding the Wildcats to four points as the Lion lead moved to 58-26.

The fourth period belonged to State College's bench with newcomer Kelly Ashcraft scoring her first six varsity points to make the final 68-41.

Jess Sarnese and Megan McHenry each had eight points for Latrobe.

State College improved to 7-1 and has a mini-break before going on the road to Pottsville Jan. 3. Latrobe is 4-6.

O'Shea Named To All-Tournament Team
Junior Sarah O'Shea, who combined 19 points against Abington with 12 points against Latrobe, was named to the all-tournament team at the Kiwanis Holiday Invitational.

O'Shea pumped in four 3-point field goals in the Abington game and had two more against Latrobe.

Joining O'Shea on the all-tourney list were Bishop Carroll's Sarah Bradley and Ali Meckey, Abington's Kristian Woodridge and Santana Huff and Megan McHenry from Latrobe.

Katie Pierce Wins Most Valuable Person ward

The Kiwanis named senior Katie Pierce the "Most Valuable Person" on the State College team. Pierce is an active participant in Key Club where she recently conducted a food drive for the State College Food Bank. She also was a staff member of the haunted Granary for Halloween.

Pierce volunteers at the State College Little League and Babe Ruth concession stands during the baseball season. She also volunteers at the Bennett Family Child Care Center at Penn State.

Pierce has been accepted to Penn State's College of Engineering for the fall.

"The State College coaching staff admires Katie's dedication and loyalty to the program," Irwin said. "Her unselfishness and desire to support her teammates does not go unnoticed. We greatly appreciate what Katie offers to the program."